Christmas lights, I absolutely adore everything about them. The simplicity of the colors, the festive twinkling, the way they illuminate everything around them in a soft glow and the complete joy seen in the faces of children and adults alike when they gaze at them.
It’s January 10th and we still have our Christmas lights up. In years past we unplugged them the day after New Year’s, but this year I told my husband we would keep them up through the epiphany. That was Sunday. Today is Thursday and I’m still not ready to take them down. We are the only house on our block with the Christmas lights still up.
In my mind Christmas lights are like the light Jesus shines, a soft illumination full of color and sparkle that brings complete joy to those who know Him and see Him for who He truly is. His light is special, holy, there is no darkness.
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in the darkness, because you will have the light of life.” John 8:12
The world softens as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. People are more loving, more patient and more generous during this season. The miracle of the virgin birth makes it easier to share Jesus, especially at Christmas.
Then, January comes. The Christmas lights go out and the world returns to it’s usual state. Every year I try to figure out how to keep the hope, joy and the light of Christmas going to no avail.
Of course we are all called to carry His light today. When we do the work of Jesus for His purpose and glory, His light shines through us. When we continue to show the world that same love, patience and generosity that illuminated Jesus when he walked on this earth, that is even more wonderful than the Christmas lights we see today. Then Jesus smiles and the world wins.
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness, at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:5-9
Far too often the world gets in the way. We get busy, we get tired and we walk that line between darkness and light. While we may not claim to be without sin, we allow the world to tell us that some sins aren’t quite as bad.
Several years ago a friend of mine told a derogatory joke about Jesus. Everyone in the room laughed and I sat there and said nothing. I immediately felt guilt, I should have spoken up, and yet I remained silent. It’s funny that today I don’t even remember what the joke was, but I remember every detail of the complete shame and sadness I felt when I denied Jesus by not speaking up. This is why my light is ordinary, because I’m so far away from that incredible holy light that Jesus shines.
I’m not sure how long our Christmas lights will continue to twinkle and shine this year. I can’t help but think that if I allow God to lead me in the desire to have the loving, patience and generosity of Jesus along with His servants heart that I am called to have, that maybe those Christmas lights wouldn’t seem so important. Because if we all did that it would bring an even better light into our neighborhoods , it would bring the actual light of Jesus. #inthewhisper #Jesuslight
