It is December 27. I am sitting quietly in my study reflecting on the day ahead - the year ahead. Our Christmas tree in the living room is standing in the dark. It looks lifeless where only two days ago it was the center piece of much joyful commotion with grandchildren, family, and friends. The ornaments now look somewhat drab and one-dimensional. In a couple of days we'll unceremoniously undrape the tree's trappings, put it in a box, and store it in some unseen place in the attic until next year.On my way to the kitchen to pour myself another cup of hot coffee I reach behind the Christmas tree and turn on the lights for another look. Suddenly the tree is alive with glitter, sparkle, and glowing warmth. The ornaments hanging lifeless and drab pop with color, adding dimension to what I see. In fact with the Christmas tree lights on I can actually see all the way through the tree to ornaments and lights on the other side.
That's when God gave me a vision of what His Church should be. I'm not talking about a building. I am speaking of His people; His Church in a darkened world. "Christmas lights." We (believers) are a reflection of His Light shining through us wherever we go in the world. When we're lit up every day people see a God who is not one-dimensional but multi-dimensional. Ornaments are seen as colorful special gifts and acts of love from God. When we're lit up we reflect His Glory, just as the angels did long ago on a dark night in the fields of Bethlehem. "...and the glory of the Lord shown around them...a multitude of the heavenly host praising God..." (Luke 2:9, 13). We are His "Christmas lights."
So, consider this: The celebration of Christmas, as a season, may be packed up in a box until next year. But the "Christmas lights", believers in a dark world, must continue to light up the glory of God in Christ. Those lights need to be out all year long.
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." Mat 5:14
