Shining Lights

The holiday season has so many delights in it. 

My favorite part is, without a doubt, the music. Carols about the birth of Christ are a joy to sing and play. By definition, a carol is a song of joy. I enjoy remembering the birth of our Savior. 

I also enjoy the lights during the holiday season, along with treats like cookies and hot chocolate. 

The birth of Christ was such a glorious event, it was recorded in the pages of the Bible. Sadly though, the celebrations behind Christmas, like Christmas trees, are pagan in origin. You won’t find me supporting Christmas trees or Santa. 

Yes, God made pine trees just like He made pumpkins. I enjoy both, but you won’t find me decorating Christmas trees or carving pumpkins. 

Singing and playing carols that give glory to God for sending us His son, beautiful lights, cookies and hot chocolate… those are things I enjoy! I didn’t expect to share my personal views on Christmas in a blog post, but there you have it. And actually, cookies, warm drinks, cozy lights, and candles are things I enjoy all winter! 

I have a small collection of different Christmas CD’s. Several of them are Christmas harp CD’s by various artists. One of my Christmas harp CD’s is so peaceful it could put you to sleep. 

I had that Christmas harp CD playing in my vehicle last week when I drove to a town about 20 minutes north of where I live late one afternoon to purchase an item I could not find in our town. 

On my drive home, I drove through the older part of this town. 

The sun had set, and everything got dark outside quickly. The old part of this town was all lit up with white lights for the holiday season. 

Magical is the word that came to mind. It was truly magical seeing all the cozy white lights in the dark night sky, and with peaceful harp music playing in my vehicle, it was even more enjoyable. I came to a stop in traffic, but I didn’t mind. I soaked in the beauty of the moment.

The shining lights were such a contrast to the dark night sky. And then I began to wonder as I sat there in traffic for a minute… 

I wonder if that is what true Christians are like? Bright and shining lights in this dark world? Giving light and warmth and hope to others because of Christ? 

The analogy that came to my mind filled my heart with so much inspiration. 

Indeed, with Christ living in us, that is exactly what we are. Later, this verse came to my mind: 

“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”

Philippians 2:15

Those who are true Christians, those who have Christ living inside of them, shine as lights in this dark world. What a powerful thought! 

I will likely think of that now when I see lights at night during the holiday season. 

In order for our light to shine brightly, we must be connected to the power source - Christ. 

In speaking of Christ, the apostle John wrote: 

“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” 

John 1:9

What an incredible joy and privilege it is to point others to that true light, the Savior of the world!