Lights…Camera…Peace

 This time of year is chaotic, sorry to state the obvious, but it’s the chaos that makes the beauty of the peaceful moments in front of the tree so refreshing. If you’re like me, there’s at least one moment or two that you curl up in a chair, make sure all the lights are off, except for the ones on the tree and you take in a deep breath and exhale.  Peace…

It still intrigues me this time of year how modern humans will fight traffic and crowds to come and see lights and even take pictures of them to share with others, who have lights in their own homes, pictures of, well, lights!

 In our highly entertained world, it still captures our wonder when twinkling lights glow against a dark sky. I feel like it should bore us by now but it doesn’t! At 45 years old, I can be driving and see a beautifully lit Christmas display and out loud, even when I’m alone, say, “Ooh Christmas lights!”

It’s as if I’m five all over again.

I suspect this love of the glow of multicolored filaments comes from a deeper place in our hearts. It’s a place of memories and wishes for sweet times behind us and those we hope for in the distant future. But even more so, it’s a physical manifestation of the longing of our souls.  Christmas lights, softly dispelling the darkness and  drawing us to ooh and aah are a PERFECT visual of the human family’s longing for the Savior.

In Isaiah He is prophesied to be the great light: 

“The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.”

‭Isaiah‬ ‭9:2‬ ‭NASB

And at His birth, He is announced by angels shining brightly in the sky! John begins his book by writing the following:  

“In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

‭‭John‬ ‭1:4-5‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

And “There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.”

‭‭John‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

Two thousand years after the creator of life and light literally walked into our world, people are still searching.  They go through life fighting their way tot he top, in the craziness, the greed, in desperate search to just sit, in peace. But peace seems to evade them because they are turning to the wrong light sources.The world longs to be at rest and Jesus has already offered it! He’s already given it, just be still, know Him and receive the gift of salvation.

If you have already received His light, but the rush and noise of life has you disgruntled, sit for a moment and meditate on who the true light of the world is. Take a moment and pause by your tree and as you bask in the glow of those Christmas lights, open up the book of John and read about the true light. 

I promise as you sit in His presence, this will be the most fulfilling present you will receive this season.

-Melissa Pyle