Imagine for a moment, if you will, there is someone in this world who has never heard of Christmas.  And, as luck would have it, you run into them on Christmas Eve.  As you stop to visit with them, they are filled with questions.  Why are so many people scurrying about with brightly colored packages?  The children all seem to be excited and people have been walking around the mall singing beautiful songs.  Not only that, colored lights seem to be everywhere!  So, what is going on?  What is this all about?

If you were asked such question, how would you answer?  Where would you begin?  Would you talk about the decorated Christmas trees?  Or would you tell them about the tradition of giving gifts to those you love?  Perhaps you would start with stories about Santa Claus and his amazing flying reindeer!  Maybe . . . just maybe . . . you might begin with something about the birth of a child – a babe sent to us by God who became the light of the world.

That is why one doesn’t have to look far to see the lights that have become a symbol of the season.  There are electric lights on Christmas trees and houses.  They are on every store and street corner you pass.  Why even in our homes and churches we light candles that illumine the dark and light up our souls.  There are the lights in children’s eyes as they anticipate Christmas morning and in the eyes of adults as they reflect upon the wonderful memories of Christmases past. 

The Christmas story is full of events that are filled with light.  It begins with the visit of the angel Gabriel to a young woman named Mary.  When we read about the appearance of angels we are usually told how they are surrounded by a bright light  and how dazzling they appear to be.  Later in the story, after the baby is born in Bethlehem, shepherds who are in fields keeping watch over their flocks in the night see a multitude of angels accompanied by a beautiful song and a bright light.  Then, of course, later . . . much later . . . we hear of a bright, shining star that lead magi to the Christ Child.

But it is not only in the Christmas story that we hear about the light.  The very first commandment of God is, “Let there be light.”  Later, God spoke to Moses through the light of a burning bush.  When the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, God became known to them in a pillar of fire.  And in one of the darkest moments in history, God told the prophet Isaiah to speak these words:  The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined.   (Isaiah 9:2)  Then in Isaiah 60:1 we read:  Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 

On this night, it is that very light we celebrate.  Jesus . . . Emmanuel . . . God-With-Us came to light a world filled with darkness. 

But as we marvel at the light that has come into the world, there is something else we should remember.  That light has not only shown upon us, it shows within us, too.  After all, this baby that we celebrate tonight will grow into a man who teaches that we . . . are the light of the world.  A city built on a hill cannot be hid.  No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light sine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.  (Matthew 5:1-16)

As we celebrate the birth of Christ, may we remember that he came into the world to bring light and hope.  May his light shine in our hearts and may our lives light up the darkness through the power of his love.