Showing posts with label Christmas Lights. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas Lights. Show all posts

Sunday, December 6, 2020

Lights

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1:2-4 KJV

At this time of year, the world is fascinated by Christmas lights. Some of my best Christmas memories with friends and family are when we were together riding around looking at the light displays. For optimum enjoyment, you should have at least one child in the car or one adult with childlike wonder because their delight is contagious.

I discovered the delight in it quite by accident. I actually started doing it with my own children because it was free entertainment and we could make a night of it. (And even if gas was $4 a gallon, Mr. Scrooge, you're going to get 12 to 20+ miles per gallon depending on your vehicle and you can see a lot of lights in 12 miles.)

Light is a very powerful force. Movie fans are fascinated by light sabers and in the real world, laser surgery is considered the latest and greatest. The world is fascinated by lights. Electronic games and pinball machines and shoes that light up! Even Sin City is known for its lights. Every picture or postcard of Las Vegas I've ever seen was taken with its lights glittering. Why? Because light attracts.

Light is God's idea - His first words on record. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good... And it was so good, that He used it in the New Covenant as well. The Light appears in Matthew, chapter one, and again in chapter four. Later in John 8:12, Jesus announces, I am the light of the world... David tells us in Psalm 119 that the Word is a lamp and light to guide our way so that we may see clearly.

Directly following the Beatitudes given by Christ and in the same sermon, He says in Matthew 5:14-16, 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 lampstand, 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.

HIS light in you. Let YOUR light shine...

Let there be light!

Prayer:

Father,
Cause us to seek after the Truth of Your Word. Let us soak up so much of Your Truth that we reflect Your true light - Life-giving light - to a world that is dying in darkness. Help us to be purposeful in living and reflecting Your light, so that others will be drawn to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Monday, December 3, 2018

Lights and Life

You are the world’s light—a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:14-16 The Living Bible

I went to spend the weekend with my oldest brother and his wife. Our younger sister drove in, too. We had a great weekend, reinforcing the bonds of love that have endured over the years. The town Ron and Mary live in does a free-of-charge holiday light drive-through park,  They had quite a few motion light displays that I thought were rather spectacular!  For instance - one for each of the twelve days of Christmas; I'd never seen anything like it! 

Halfway through, I almost started laughing at our exclamations of, "Oh, look at that one!" "Did you see that?!?" "That one is so beautiful!!" "Look!!"  My sweet sister-in-law (who is now a great-grandmother) was also like a little girl as we drove through. It was reminiscent of long-ago years and some not-so-long-ago years, but it is one tradition that can be easily outgrown in the hustle and bustle that Christmas has become. 

On the drive home (that should only have been 5½ hours but took 8 because of traffic!), I had plenty of time to think of the parallels of Christmas lights and living the Christian life. These are just a few of my thoughts. 

Christmas lights: As a child viewing light displays, we have no idea how much forethought and work are involved in making it look that beautiful. 
Christian life: Before the foundation of the world - Ephesians 4:1.

Christmas lights: We don't think of what it cost for us (the electric bill). 
Christian life: Mark 8:34-36.

Christmas lights: What it takes to maintain it (the right instructions for best results). 
Christian life: Matthew 19:17-21.

Christmas lights: What it takes to keep the lights burning brightly (proper power supply - protection in the storms of the seasons). 
Christian life: Matthew 7:24-27

Christmas lights: Where and how to place the lights so that they illuminate the path and make the house inviting (so you know the way and you'll want to come back). 
Christian life: Our Promise for Today!

Christmas lights: I'm not turning off my lights just because someone doesn't like Christmas. 
Christian life: I'm not hiding my Light just because someone doesn't like Christians... 
♫♪This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine! ♪♫

And I'm not going to get into debates about the actual date of Christ's birth, or how the date was brought into the church as we know it today. I'm just eternally grateful Emmanuel WAS born so that we could be forgiven to live in His Light and have eternal life with Him!!  

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for sending Your Son to be Light and Life for all who will receive Him. Thank You that the invitation is open to whosoever will... Please keep our hearts and spiritual eyes open to see the opportunities to spread Your Light and Life to those who don't yet know You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Let There Be Light

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1:2-4 KJV

At this time of year, the world is fascinated by Christmas lights. Some of my best Christmas memories with friends and family are when we were together riding around looking at the light displays. For optimum enjoyment, you should have at least one child in the car or one adult with childlike wonder because their delight is contagious. I discovered the delight in it quite by accident. I actually started doing it with my own children because it was free entertainment and we could make a night of it. (And even if gas was $4 a gallon, Mr. Scrooge, you're going to get 12 to 20+ miles per gallon depending on your vehicle and you can see a lot of lights in 12 miles.)

Light is a very powerful force. Movie fans are fascinated by light sabers and in the real world, laser surgery is considered the latest and greatest. The world is fascinated by lights. Electronic games and pinball machines and shoes that light up! Even Sin City is known for its lights! Every picture or postcard of Las Vegas I've ever seen was taken with its lights glittering. Light attracts.


Light is God's idea - His first words on record. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good... And it was so good, that He used it in the New Covenant as well. The Light appears in Matthew, chapter one, and again in chapter four. Later in John 8:12, Jesus announces, I am the light of the world... David tells us in Psalm 119 that the Word is a lamp and light to guide our way so that we may see clearly.

Directly following the Beatitudes given by Christ and in the same sermon, He says in Matthew 5:14-16, 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 lampstand, 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.

HIS light in you. Let YOUR light shine...

Let there be light!

Prayer:

Father,
         Cause us to seek after the Truth of Your Word. Let us soak up so much of Your Truth that we reflect Your true light - Life-giving light - to a world that is dying in darkness. Help us to be purposeful in living and reflecting Your light, so that others will be drawn to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen