I hope all the bright decorative lights of this Christmas season will do more than fascinate and entertain us–I trust they will be a reminder of the Great Light, Jesus Christ, Who was born in Bethlehem to bring salvation to all who will trust in Him.  Due to the lack of spare time and other factors, Gale and I have a lot less decorations up this year than usual, but we have not lost our admiration for the displays all about helping us remember what a season of celebration this is.

If we take time to reflect on the first Christmas, we will surely be brought to consider that there must have been tremendous light in the heavens on Christ’s birth night as the angel of the Lord appeared and the glory of God radiated around the shepherds.  And the star that directed the Magi to the Christ-child must have surely been more magnificent than anything they had ever seen (Matthew 2:9).  Yet the light of Christ Himself–the spiritual Light that leads men and women from the darkness and death of sin to the light and life of salvation—easily outshines the most intense of lights. 

In the early days of Christ’s ministry on earth, Matthew quotes the prophet Isaiah to verify the fulfillment of the words of the ancient prophet:  “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16, New International Version). 

As powerful as that truth is, far too many do not appreciate the spiritual deliverance that Christ brought.  Christmas is an excellent time to reflect upon and become more appreciative of the True Light that God sent to humanity.  How can we come to appreciate this Gift of God more? 

We can come to appreciate the True Light by realizing how dark life without Christ is.  As Isaiah anticipated the future birth of Messiah he wrote, “Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress” (Isaiah 9:1).  He goes on to write about the character, power, and authority of the coming Christ–the One Who would bring deliverance to those in spiritual darkness, gloom, and distress.  Unfortunately, our modern luxuries and comforts can make us insensitive to our spiritual needs; they can deceive us into a state of thinking all is well in life when indeed gloom and darkness is prevailing in the heart. 

We can come to appreciate the True Light by realizing how bright the Light is.  Satan wants to convince each of us that we are too bad and too far gone to be forgiven by Christ, but Scripture reminds us that “whosoever believes in Him [Christ]“ will have eternal life (John 3:16).  The life transforming Light of Christ outshines the deepest darkness of sin.

We can come to appreciate the True Light by realizing how far It reaches.  It is not limited to one nation or ethnic group–the Light of Christ is for all who will commit their life to Him and accept Him by faith.

The darkness of sin is brutal, but the Light of Christ overpowers it and extends even to the lowest places to all who will call upon Him in true repentance and faith.  To hear about this spiritual Light is a good thing, but to know Him personally through faith is far better; it is life transforming.  If you will let His light shine into your heart He will give you the peace and hope that only He can provide.