Christmas is here! We’ve shopped, listened to our merry playlists (some of us long before December), and celebrated with friends and family. It truly is a beautiful time of the year. But in the poetic words of Howard Thurman:
When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among the people, to make music in the heart.
In other words, each year, as the sounds of Christmas surround us, we mustn’t forget why we celebrate in the first place.
“I, the Lord, have called You to demonstrate My righteousness. I will guard and support You, for I have given You to My people as the personal confirmation of My covenant with them. And You will be a light to guide all nations to Me” (Isaiah 42:6, NLT).
God looked upon humanity and was moved with compassion. We were blind and lost, groping for anything to cling to… until the Light came. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined” (Isaiah 9:2).Jesus was born to bring righteousness to the earth. Or we could say, Jesus was born to bring LIGHT and SALVATION.
The light showed the way to salvation, which when accepted, became righteousness for God’s people and the “personal confirmation” of His covenant with us all.
Christmas is a beautiful season of giving and celebrating with loved ones. But after it has come and gone, we have to continue to acknowledge the Light which came to save us. And better yet, as His light has filled our hearts, may we press forward with more zeal to be carriers of His light “to guide all nations” to Him.
In all truth, Christmas should be our annual reminder to shine brighter. Just as the wise men saw and followed the star, those who are still walking in darkness can be led to the light if we will continue to shine it before them.
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
The Christmas lights will eventually be taken down, but let us remember to always keep them on in our hearts for others to follow.
MERRY CHRISTMAS from my family to yours! God bless!
