The Light of the World
The Light of the World
Written by Will Barid
There's a lot of lights to look and marvel at during the Christmas season. Outdoor decorations. Illuminated Christmas trees. Shimmering ribbons on neatly-wrapped gifts of shiny iPhones and glowing televisions. It's a worldwide spectacle of sparkling and radiance that captures the imaginations of both Christians and non-Christians alike. It drives the so-called magic that begins with cheer after Thanksgiving and comes to an abrupt end January 2nd.
And the glare can be blinding.
The whole world seems to rejoice every December, but not in the great cause of Christmas, the inconceivable miracle that shook the universe to its foundations. Most the earth is blind to what is really going on this season, amidst all the holiday cheer and festivities and spending. They miss the deeper reality, the joy that is "inexpressible and filled with glory" (1 Peter 1:8).
But we know.
We know that the true light of the world is far greater, brighter, and lovelier than every candle and strand of lights in the world put together (John 8:12). We celebrate Christmas because the God of the Universe, the Uncreated One, God of all power, glory, and might, so loved His children that He condescended to become one of us, into a man born of the Virgin Mary. I don't understand how He did it. It is an event so spectacular that the host of heaven came to earth to shout praises (Luke 2:13-14). But God did it. And He did it for you and me, to save us from our sins and implant in us His full, glorious, everlasting joy (John 15:11).
This Advent, let us spend time remembering and meditating on the most wondrous event in the history of the universe. The ruler of this world has arrayed all the spiritual forces of evil to blind us to the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). He wants all the celebration and holiday lights and presents and songs (good things given by God!) to distract us into forgetting the real reason for Christmas, the greatest miracle of all, the birth of the Savior of the world.
Don't let him! Let us shout praises and sing for joy! (Psalm 63:5-7). Let us fill our thoughts with awe over what God did over 2000 years ago, and the lengths He went to to draw us into His family. Teach your children the mystery. Tell your friends. And let your heart soak in "the good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10).
Related Links:
Five Things to Teach Your Children This Christmas- Desiring God
The Light of Christmas- One Place Ministries
Written by Will Barid
There's a lot of lights to look and marvel at during the Christmas season. Outdoor decorations. Illuminated Christmas trees. Shimmering ribbons on neatly-wrapped gifts of shiny iPhones and glowing televisions. It's a worldwide spectacle of sparkling and radiance that captures the imaginations of both Christians and non-Christians alike. It drives the so-called magic that begins with cheer after Thanksgiving and comes to an abrupt end January 2nd.
And the glare can be blinding.
The whole world seems to rejoice every December, but not in the great cause of Christmas, the inconceivable miracle that shook the universe to its foundations. Most the earth is blind to what is really going on this season, amidst all the holiday cheer and festivities and spending. They miss the deeper reality, the joy that is "inexpressible and filled with glory" (1 Peter 1:8).
But we know.
We know that the true light of the world is far greater, brighter, and lovelier than every candle and strand of lights in the world put together (John 8:12). We celebrate Christmas because the God of the Universe, the Uncreated One, God of all power, glory, and might, so loved His children that He condescended to become one of us, into a man born of the Virgin Mary. I don't understand how He did it. It is an event so spectacular that the host of heaven came to earth to shout praises (Luke 2:13-14). But God did it. And He did it for you and me, to save us from our sins and implant in us His full, glorious, everlasting joy (John 15:11).
This Advent, let us spend time remembering and meditating on the most wondrous event in the history of the universe. The ruler of this world has arrayed all the spiritual forces of evil to blind us to the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). He wants all the celebration and holiday lights and presents and songs (good things given by God!) to distract us into forgetting the real reason for Christmas, the greatest miracle of all, the birth of the Savior of the world.
Don't let him! Let us shout praises and sing for joy! (Psalm 63:5-7). Let us fill our thoughts with awe over what God did over 2000 years ago, and the lengths He went to to draw us into His family. Teach your children the mystery. Tell your friends. And let your heart soak in "the good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10).
Related Links:
Five Things to Teach Your Children This Christmas- Desiring God
The Light of Christmas- One Place Ministries
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