It\u2019s the most wonderful tiime of the year. Well, for some, it is and for others it may be the most challenging time of the year. I\u2019ll admit I\u2019ve been overreacting to all I need to do — the gifts to buy, the goodies to make, the activities and events to attend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BUT, for me and you, let\u2019s get a grip, take deep breaths, and take one day or one minute at a time. We should really be singing \u201cIt\u2019s the most wonderful tiime of the year\u201d with Christmas symbols and songs and the Baby to light up the darkness we might have encountered this year \u2013 and, for some, even today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have known great joy at Christmas. My daughter was born in December. And, as just a teenager, I knew heartache at Christmas when my dad went to heaven just eight days before Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But let\u2019s wrap Christmas with a big red bow as a gift of joy, cheer, and sheer delight. We need it because there has been an enormous amount of darkness this year. As I type this blog, I remember the prophet Isaiah\u2019s prophetic words that came true with Jesus’ birth. \u201cThe people who walk in darkness will see a great Light. Those who live in a dark land, the Light will shine on them.\u201d (Isaiah 9:2)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Praise the Lord! The LIGHT is shining on us, too! Isaiah spoke of the coming Prince of Peace, and of the light and life He would bring. He spoke of light dispelling darkness. Isn’t that what we desire?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Light is central to our celebration of Christmas. The apostle John introduced his gospel by identifying Jesus as the “True Light, coming into the world, Who enlightens everyone.\u201d (John 1)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christmas is arriving for us with the same promises of Light and Life. We celebrate Christmas because the Light did come. Jesus\u2019 birth was not only the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, but as the angels declared to the shepherds, this infant is \u201cthe Savior, who is Christ the Lord.\u201d To understand Christmas is to know that the peace, hope, joy and comfort the Savior brings is because of His death and resurrection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Light dispels darkness. That darkness is seen in those who are \u201cin the dark\u201d and lack knowledge of the peace and joy that the LIGHT brought us. Nothing could be so dark as those who prefer to live in the dark. But those of us who have personally encountered the LIGHT are childlike in our faith as we celebrate this season of LIGHT that points to God\u2019s Son in Bethlehem\u2019s humble manger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We rightly point to Christ\u2019s birth as the central event of human history and the dividing line between the age of darkness and the age of light. Who really wants to live in the dark? Certainly not those of us who have encountered THE LIGHT!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When we are anxious about all the \u201cto do\u2019s\u201d of Christmas, we lose the real meaning of why Jesus came to earth for us. It is clich\u00e9 but it\u2019s still true \u2013 Jesus, THE LIGHT, is the reason to celebrate Christmas. It is His gift of LIGHT that fills us with celebration, thanksgiving, and rejoicing. I\u2019m getting my Christmas party hat on \u2013 how about you?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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