In my part of the world December, and Christmas, take place during the darkest part of the year. Our December days are short, the nights long. Perhaps that’s one reason lights are such a big part of our Christmas decor.
When I think about the spiritual aspect of Christmas and light, one of the first things that comes to mind is all the Old Testament yearning and prophecies about the coming of a light-bringer.
It starts as far back as Numbers 24:17:
“I see Him, but not now;
I behold Him, but not near;
A Star shall come out of Jacob;
A Scepter shall rise out of Israel…”
and continues with the prophets, like Isaiah 9:2:
“The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined”
and Malachi 4:2:
“But to you who fear My name
The Sun of Righteousness shall arise
With healing in His wings…”
Light was a big part of Jesus’ birth too.
– The wise men from the east followed the light of a star: – Matthew 2:2,9.
– The glory of the Lord shone around the angel that appeared to the shepherds – Luke 2:9.
– The old man Simeon who blessed the infant Jesus at His presentation in the temple proclaimed Him “‘A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles'” – Luke 2:32.
When Jesus grew up He was recognized as light by His disciple John – John 1:4.
– He declared Himself the “light of the world” – John 8:12.
– Someday He will be the light of a heavenly city – Revelation 21:23.
This month, let’s write about LIGHT.
- Perhaps our piece will be an essay about or poem to the lights of the season.
- Perhaps we will write about a Christmas memory in which light (candlelight, starlight, moonlight, tree lights) played a special part.
- Perhaps it will be a story in which the light of realization dawns on a character.
- Or maybe we’ll want to write about how Jesus has illumined our hearts, lives and homes.
May the lights of December take on added significance as you ponder and write about LIGHT this month.
Violet Nesdoly 