December 23

The Light of Christ

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel (Luke 2:30-32,KJV).

Scripture: Luke 1:26-31; 2:22, 25-35

Song: “This Little Light of Mine”

Reporting for Army active duty in Baltimore, Maryland, my wife and I found an apartment in a row house. These two-story identical brick units were all joined together and went for blocks. The second night we lived there I went out to a store for milk and bread. When I returned after dark all row houses looked exactly the same. I couldn’t see the house numbers in the dark, and I had forgotten our address anyway. But, by driving around into the alley I discovered that each house had unique features and ours was unique in that it had a fenced back yard. Home at last!

All the nations outside of Israel, the Gentiles, lived in the same dismal spiritual darkness despite being culturally unique from each other in many ways. The arrival of Jesus, the light of the world, brought distinctive spiritual light. Through the Savior, nations began to glow from the inside out as their citizens received the good news of salvation.

At Christmas we often see larger than life-sized figures with glowing lights inside. While these may seem disconnected from His Story, their uniqueness can serve as reminders of how Christ lightens all who come to Him in faith regardless of their past.

Holy God, lighten your people with the glow of eternity that penetrates hearts and glorifies the Savior, Jesus. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, amen.