JOHN 1:4-5: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: Christmas lights are like ice cream. It is hard to find people who don’t enjoy them. Once a year our neighborhoods and businesses take on a bright glowing grandeur that is not present the rest of the year. Nights are reserved for a cup of hot cocoa and a drive around the neighborhood to take in all the lights and sights!

I love Christmas lights!

Christmas lights are special because they take place once a year. They are not always shining so we become bored with them. Communities even schedule special events to turn on the lights. This year my wife and I will be attending the lighting ceremony in our golf course community. It will be filled with music, refreshments, and of course the traditional countdown to turn on the lights.

Rest assured, there are places where people do not cherish the lights. The people who live and work in Las Vegas do not cherish the lights on the strip. These lights are shining every day and night. There is nothing special about them. In fact, they are downright gaudy. To the visitor, they are a wonder for a few days. Yet, to the person who works there day after day they mean absolutely nothing.

Jesus came as the Light of the World! The opening verses in the Gospel of John read – “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Jesus’ light was more than just a display of lights on the Vegas Strip, Time Square, or Hollywood Boulevard. Jesus’ light was the radiance of life. Jesus was the one true light who came to bring light to a darkened world.

Jesus was the eternal Christmas light sent from God the Father!

It would be sad if each year Christmas lights were put up but no one cared. Imagine, business going on as usual. No drives around the neighborhood to admire the lights. No hot cocoa or Christmas movies. No exchanging of gifts, family meals, or celebrations. If this were the case – how long do you think families and businesses would keep hanging their lights?

Yet, this is exactly what happened when Jesus came. Jesus came as the source of life, the light from heaven, a beacon to a world lost in darkness, and yet – “…the darkness does not comprehend it.” They did not get it. Life had come and most people missed the parade. How did God respond? Did he simply say – “Well, they missed their chance! No more lights for these ungrateful people!” That would have been my response. Yet, God had a different response.

“And the light shines in the darkness…”

The light of Jesus’ life continues to shine. God did not pull the plug. In this darkened world filled with sin, brokenness, and sorrow – there is a light that shines. It is not an artificial light created by man. It is the radiant beam of God’s love, His life, His very person. The enemy of our souls tried to extinguish this light once and for all. Yet, Jesus defeated both sin and death and rose again in radiant life. His light continues to shine and His life continues to call men and women to His life!

• “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

This is why I love Christmas lights! Whenever I look at these lights I am reminded of the one true light who came to bring life into the world. I am reminded of the moment when I became a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ my Lord. I am reminded that this light will never go out and that one day I will stand eternally in His presence warmed by the radiance of His life!

I love Christmas lights – because I love Jesus!

Lord, I pray that this Christmas season will be filled with both light and life for all. May Your light shine upon the hearts of those who do not understand to bring them to the wonderful knowledge of the truth so that they too can open their hearts to the true Christmas light – Jesus Christ, the light of life!

In Jesus’ Name!