When we think of lights at Christmas time we naturally think about the Christmas lights that adorn our trees on the inside and our houses on the outside. When we think of lights at the first Christmas we recall the star of Bethlehem. It was unusually bright and caught the attention of the magi who lived in “the east.” This unusual display of light brought these wise men right to the house in Bethlehem where they found the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:10-11). There are many ideas about the star – some suggest it was an alignment of planets or a super-nova, or a comet, or an angel. Clearly it was the glory of God shining down from heaven that first Christmas. That light pointed people to the newly born Son of God – the Savior of the world.
Today Christians are to be God’s light. Jesus Christ said, “Ye are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men, that they may seek your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” Matthew 5:13,16. This is one of those statements which should cause us to lift up our heads and make us realize what a remarkable and glorious thing it is to be a Christian. We have not only received God’s light (His truth and salvation), but we have been made light. We have become transmitters of God’s light.
But how do we decorate our life with the light of Christmas?
Our Christianity should be evident to all wherever we go. Our good deeds ought to draw attention, not to ourselves, but to God. We serve others in the name of Christ. Our goal is to make Jesus look good before an unbelieving world. When we fill our hearts and minds with the Word of God, we then can allow God’s Word to change our character so that we become more like Christ in all we say and do. The apostle Paul wrote, “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” Ephesians 5:8. The way we decorate our life with God’s light is to let the Holy Spirit of God transform us. In Galatians 5 we are given a list of character qualities that “glow” from the life of a Spirit-filled Christian – love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
If you lack God’s joy in your heart, then it’s time to get “plugged in” to what God is doing in this world. If you are not already involved in a Bible-believing church, then this Christmas season then come and experience the joy of shining God’s love to others. It begins with letting God touch your heart through message, song, and fellowship. Join us at Valley Forge Baptist and experience Christmastime at Valley Forge Baptist.
Author: Scott Wendal
Scott Wendal is the founding and lead Pastor of Valley Forge Baptist in Collegeville, PA. He attained his Bachelor of Arts degree at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, in 1981. After completing a three-year internship in Fairfax, Virginia, Pastor Wendal came to the Valley Forge area in July 1984 to begin Valley Forge Baptist. Pastor Wendal and his wife, Jodie, have five children.
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