Because of the tender mercy of our God,
His Light from on high has visited us,
to shine on those who sit in darkness and in death’s shadow,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Luke 1:78-79
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There it was—the true Light
[the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] which,
coming into the world, enlightens everyone
John 1:9 AMP
We all know the Christmas story…Heaven comes to earth in the form of an infant to die on the Cross in order to provide eternal life to us. That’s sounds so cold and clinical. And trite. But, sometimes, that’s how we think about it – “Yeah, yeah I’ve heard all this before. I got it.” It’s not that it isn’t important to us, but we have just lost some of our passion, our awe, our sense of wonder and amazement. Today, let’s look a little closer, dig a little deeper and see what we find….
So, why did Christ come? The answer is found in Acts 26:18.
“…to open their [spiritual] eyes
so that they may turn from darkness to light
and from the power of Satan to God,
that they may receive forgiveness and release from their sins
and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified
(set apart, made holy) by faith in Me.”
He came to open our eyes!
He came to illuminate the dark!
Isaiah 9:2 AMP talks about this same Light…
The people who walk in [spiritual] darkness will see a great Light;
Those who live in the dark land, the Light will shine on them.
Without God’s tender mercy and compassion for us, without the Christmas story, we would STILL be walking in darkness. We would be unaware we were under the influence and power of Satan.
Selah – stop and think about that for a moment. Imagine what your life might be like without His Light shining on you!?! The most obvious answer is we would have no inheritance, no eternal life. But consider your day-to-day life. There would be…
- no source of comfort or healing…
- no refuge from the storms and struggles of life…
- no guidance when we are lost…
- no peace when we are anxious and fearful…
- no Light to illuminate our path…
- no release from the bondage of sin…
- no One to love us unconditionally, or to provide us with strength when have none, or be our joy when life is at its bleakest.
Peek into that manger once again. Do you see what John was talking about? Ahhh, there it is—
the true Light [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light]
which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone
John 1:9 AMP
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Father God, please never let me lose the sense of wonder, the awe, and amazement of what You did for me in that tiny manger in Bethlehem. I cannot image life without His Light shining on me. This Christmas let me be filled with such joy as I remember all You have done for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen – so be it!
