Christmas Lights.

I've been seeing on social media probably since late October that people had started putting up their Christmas trees, decorating their houses, inside and out. They string lights around windows, railings on the stair case. Outside they would string lights along the roof top. Decorate their trees, bushes, mailboxes, and whatever else they could. With the way that 2020 has been going, people were looking for something good and positive. What's more positive than Christmas, right! Putting up the tree and decorations, hanging lights everywhere gave people joy and some hope during this pandemic.

I started to wonder if people would get as excited for the light that Jesus provides. He gives us much more hope than a Christmas decoration ever will.

John 8:12 New Living Translation

12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

We have several big Christmas light shows around us locally. They have a huge display, draw lots of people, and just like that, it is over. The Christmas season has passed. The lights are turned off, taken down and put away till next Christmas.

That is what is so good about Jesus' light. It never goes out. Never dims or runs out of power. His light is always in season. Unlike the lights that we put up around our own houses for us and our neighbors to enjoy, Jesus' light is for the whole world to see.

The world is a dark place. Jesus wants us to be lights in the world. To shine brightly for Him. His light should reflect off of us, to others around us.

Matthew 5:14-16 The Message

14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Christmas lights are great. They are nice to look at and enjoy for the season. Make people happy and cause them to smile, but only for a brief moment.

Jesus' light shines bright and lasts forever. That's the light that I want to put my focus on.