His Light at Christmas

It's that time of year again! It's the time when I share some fairly dogmatic advice about Christmas lights (for teaching purposes only) that are a good metaphor for our Christian life and Witness. 

This advice comes in the form of my “famous” Christmas light sermon "Christ's Light at Christmas" with you all in three short installments. It addresses the question, "How can we help others see the light of Christ this Christmas?" 

Part 1: Being Lights For His Glory 

I will be using the metaphor of "Christmas Lights" to call us to a more joyous, welcoming, and authentic witness this season. In the process, I will also indulge some of my own Christmas lighting biases—strictly for educational purposes!  

How can we do this? There are two things I would suggest for starters: we should be visible; and, we should be unblinking. (Read More)

Part 2: Being Conformed To His Image!

The light we shine needs to be tasteful and courteous, rather than rude and overbearing. I think of the classic Charlie Brown Christmas special where both kinds of lights are seen. Snoopy's obnoxiously decorated doghouse contrasts sharply with the humble little tree that the whole Peanuts gang helped to decorate (after hearing Linus quote the Christmas story as found in Luke 2). The world is dying and needs us to shine as Jesus did, not in a loud, tacky, rude, uncaring manner, but in a simple, sincere, spiritual way... (Read More)

Part 3: Being Plugged Into His Power!

Scripture says that Jesus is "upholding all things by the word of His power." Further, Isaiah 8:20 says that if we are not plugged into the Word of God, there is no light in us. We only have the power to shine as lights if we are plugged in. Our power is found in His Word, as made alive in our hearts by His Spirit.

In Part 2 of The Hobbit trilogy of movies, The Desolation of Smaug, the evil one (Sauron) says to Gandalf the wizard, “There is no light that can defeat the dark!” Just as that line is not in Tolkien’s book, it is not in the Bible either. The darkness has not overcome the light of Christ (John 1:5) which enlightens everyone (John 1:9). While it is true that some will choose the darkness over the revealing character of Jesus’ light (John 3:20), all who believe in Christ are no longer bound by darkness (John 12:46)... (Read more)