Thursday, 24 December 2009 01:00 | and posted in Jesus & the Gospels
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, The everlasting Light...* The theme of “light” is found right through the Christmas story. From the glorious light of the angels appearing to shepherds; to the small piercing light of the star guiding the Wise Men; to the fantastic words that the old prophet Simeon spoke over Jesus, just a few weeks old: He is a light to reveal God to the nations (Luke 2:30-32).
The Light of Jesus’ birth is also spoken about in Old Testament prophecy: The people who walk in darkness will see a great light (Isaiah 9:2). And even old Bob Geldof wasn’t too far off the mark when he wrote At Christmastime, we let in light and we banish shade - that old Band-Aid classic.**
Jesus, of course, said he was the Light of the World (John 8:12) and that His light brings life. As we become followers of Christ, he ignites this same light in ourselves by His Spirit – and so we too become lights.*** This all comes about because of Christmas.
But as bright and as glorious as the Christmas Christ-child is, it’s only a tiny fraction of the true brightness of Jesus. Even though Christ was equal to God, he gave up his glory to be born amongst the blood and muck of a stable . The plan of bringing light and life to mankind involved God stepping down, leaving the realms of heaven, and moving into our neighbourhood.^
Nonetheless, there is going to come a day when the full brilliance of Christ’s light will shine on us. It’s a day when everything that’s old, broken and evil in this world is swept away and God brings in a whole new order. It’s a day that promises to banish all pain, suffering and tears to history; and we get to drink in the fullness and wholeness of that life-giving water. And in this new world – there is no sun, and no light necessary, for the light of God will eclipse it all – the eternal radiance of God giving brightness for every nation.^^
So when you’re in that Nativity play, or carol service and you’re lighting a candle to remind you of a baby born as a light into darkness, let’s think ahead, with great expectation, to that time when He’ll return and we’ll all be wonderfully dazzled. The everlasting light that shone in the dark streets of Bethlehem 2000 years ago will suddenly be unveiled in His full glory.
FOOTNOTES:
* O Little Town of Bethlehem
** Do they know it’s Christmastime
*** See Matthew 5:14
^ See John 1:14 in The Message
^^ See Revelation 21:1-4; 21:22-24; 22:4-5