The Bright and Morning Star

 

Have you ever wondered where the tradition of Christmas lights started? 

Well it started in 17th century Germany. Many believe it was Martin Luther. He was walking home when he saw a pine tree with icicles reflecting the starlight. He thought it was stunning. So Martin went home and decorated his tree with candles and used it as a way to remind people that Jesus is the Light of the world.

Jesus is the Light of the World.

In Luke 1:78 Zechariah is prophesying about his son, John the Baptist. He then goes on to prophesy about Jesus, the coming Messiah. About Jesus he says, "because of the tender mercies of our God, whereby the Sunrise shall visit us on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." Here Jesus is the Sunrise Zechariah is talking about. Jesus is like a sunrise, because He offers hope and light to a world that was hopeless and dark. A sunrise symbolizes something new or fresh, like a chance to start over. Well, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem all those years ago, hope was born. This is why Jesus is called the Bright and Morning Star (Revelation 22:16).  Jesus is the Light of the World that brought hope and new life to the world all those years ago, and the Light of the World who will return one day and get rid of the darkness once and for all!

John 8:12 says, "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.""

John 9:5 says, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

John 12:46 says, "I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness."

1 John 1:5 "This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all."

The message of these verses? That God is light; that Jesus is the Light of the world. He offers hope to those who believe in Him and follow Him. We don't have to walk in darkness. We don't have to be overcome by the darkness of the world.

We must walk in light

In Ephesians 5:6-16 We read about how we must walk in the light:

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is lights, therefore it says, "Awake, o sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."

We use to be in the dark. Without Christ, everyone is in darkness. As Luke 1:79 says, Jesus gives light to those who "sit in darkness." Before Christ came we are all sitting in darkness. We are sinful and broken. But when Christ saves us, we become "light in the Lord." Wow! We go from dark to light in a moment because of Christ! Notice it doesn't say "Now you try to be light because of Christ." Our works don't save us. God doesn't say, "You are sitting in darkness and you need to make yourself become light on your own." No. If we repent and believe, we know we will be saved. And once we are saved Christ brings us out of darkness and into His marvelous light! (See Romans 10:9-13, John 1:12, and 1 Peter 2:9) It is all by God's grace! But we are called to continue walking in the light. We are called to live out our salvation. It's not like we become saved and then go on living life like normal. God radically transforms our hearts and gives us new desires to flee sin and follow Him. How do we walk in light? Well, in Ephesians it tells us that the fruit (evidence, works) of walking in the light are doing what is good, right, and true. Which means we should never do what is bad, wrong, and deceitful. We don't do good works to be saved, but we do them because we are saved! And because we have been saved, God has given us hearts that want to obey Him! We should "take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness!" Works of sin and darkness bear no fruit. They do not please God. They do not help, but often hurt others. Let us flee from darkness and walk with our Lord in the light! Let us "look carefully then how (we) walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of time, because the days are evil." 

God has brought us into the light. He has brought hope into our souls, and saved us from the darkness of this world. Let us, then, not keep on sinning, which is a work of darkness. Let's walk in Christ's way and obey God!

As you look at all the Christmas lights this year, I hope you will be reminded of Christ, the Bright and Morning star, our sunrise, the light of the world! I hope you will remember the hope and new life He brings, and anticipate the day when He will get rid of the darkness once and for all!

And I hope you will strive to walk in the light as children of the light! May you walk in God's ways.