Dear Friends,
Did you know that Christmas lights are in the Bible?
Christmas lights are one of the wonders of Christmas! They add twinkling magic inside of normal homes. They transform dull neighborhoods into dazzling sights! Christmas lights are a highlighted anticipation of the Christmas season! Yet, sometimes Christians can wonder whether Christmas lights detract from the true meaning of Christmas. Do they?
Let’s go to the Bible to find out!
Christmas lights are first found in the Old Testament. Isaiah 49:6 gives us our Christmas light prophecy:
“He says: ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel: ‘I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’”
God would send the Messiah to “the people who walked in darkness.” He would shine His light on them to be able to finally understand the truth!
This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus! He declares His identity as the light of the world in John 8:12. He Himself will give the light of life! The world that was stumbling in darkness can finally see the truth to know God!
He now shines in believers’ hearts so we can know God through Christ
(2 Corinthians 4:6).
Jesus Himself is our Christmas Light! But it doesn’t end there!
“We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2 Corinthians 4:7).
We are just broken pots, but God put “this treasure” (the light of the gospel of Christ) in our clay pots to shine God’s glorious light onto others! This makes US Christmas lights! Jesus Himself tells us,
“You are the light of the world….Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14 & 16)
Not only are Christmas lights biblical, but essential! Jesus is the prominent Christmas Light and gives Christians the important role of reflecting His light!
Instead of being distracted by the glitter of lights this Christmas, may they be a twinkling reminder to worship our true Christmas Light and to BE Christmas lights to the watching world! As we live in a Christ-like way, our family, friends, and the watching world can see our good works and give glory to our Father! Let’s BE Christmas lights!
Wishing you a twinkling and wonder-filled Christmas,
Shannon and Danielle Hurley
Founders, SOS Ministries
