CHRISTMAS CANDLES AND THE LIVING LIGHT
by Fleta Mathews
“I am the light of the world. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
In the beginning, God said, “Let there be light”. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” He also said, those who follow me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Light is come into the world, but because of our inherited Adamic nature and our carnal choices, men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. Yet, anyone can choose to “walk in the light as He is in the light” …and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.
For we who know Him, the “God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus.” Then, “Through the tender mercies of our God He may give light to them that sit in darkness in the shadow of death and guide their feet into the way of peace”.
Now, He tells us, His people, to let Him “light up our lives” as the popular song says. Because He is our light and our salvation, we are compelled to let our light shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in Heaven. We are to be His light in the world. Is it any wonder that as He lights up our lives, we love to light up our world with multitudes of twinkling lights at Christmas time! Phillip P. Bliss, the famous hymn writer penned these wonderful words about the True Light:
The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin The light of the world is Jesus Like sunshine at noonday, His glory came in the light of the world is Jesus. Come to the light; Tis shining for thee. Sweetly the light has shined upon me. Once I was blind, but now I can see. The light of the world is Jesus
May we at this Holy holiday season let the living light of our Lord shine…not only in our Christmas candles and other twinkling lights, but in all the ways we celebrate the coming of Christ through the Babe born in Bethlehem. Living light came into the world when God released His love for us through His son Jesus Christ. He really is the reason for the season. May we let our Lord’s living light shine in our lives now and in the coming year to enable us to reflect His light and love to a dark, dark, world. Many may follow our lead and leave the darkness for the Living Light of Life.
“Make me a blessing, make me a blessing
Out of my life may Jesus shine
Make me a blessing, O Saviour, I pray
Make me a blessing to someone today.”
Scripture references: John 8:12; John 3:19; I John 1:7; II Cor. 4:6; Ps. 27:1; Matt. 5:14; Luke 1:78-79