An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them.

~Luke 2:9 NIV

The Lighted Tree

The kids raced to my house, excited and yelling about the big tree Dad had just purchased. I discovered it was a ten-foot-tall, cone shaped Christmas tree. White LED lights encircled the tree, and a brilliantly lit star decked the top. Dad informed me he would place it at the end of the driveway for the Christmas season.

Wow, I thought, what a sight that will be. We lived in the country with no streetlights or close neighbors and it was  normally pitch black at night. That brightly shining star and tree would stand out like a beacon for anyone driving by and announce that we celebrated Christmas.

On that first Christmas, God, too, announced the Good News of His Son’s birth with light. His initial announcement came to shepherds as they watched their flocks just outside of Bethlehem. Angels appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them.

The True Light

In Revelation, we discover that the city of the New Jerusalem will need neither sun nor moon to shine on it.  The glory of God will light it. It was this same light, the glory of the Lord, that the shepherds witnessed as the angelic host proclaimed the good news.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

~Luke 2:14 NIV

God’s second announcement also came in the form of light: the light of an unusual star which the Magi recognized as the star of the one born King of the Jews. The star they had seen in the East went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

God’s light on that first Christmas, announced Good News. It proclaimed the birth of the Savior who later claimed that He was the light of the world.

This year, as we view the Christmas lights shining brightly in our homes and neighborhoods announcing the season, may we each remember the true Light, which Christmas is meant to celebrate.

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

~Isaiah 9:6 NIV

Celebrate Christmas by remembering God’s true Light.

Father God, announce afresh in my heart this year the glory of the light of Christ, in whom I discover and receive eternal life and light, setting me free from the power and darkness of sin. In Christ’s name, I pray, amen.

Vinewords:

Genre: Non-fiction

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