The Christmas season provides a feast for the senses like no other time of the year. All five senses are fully engaged through the supersaturated sights, sounds, aromas, sensations, and flavours of Christmas.

• We hear bell choirs and carols.
• We smell spicy hot apple cider and evergreen wreaths.
• We feel the chill of drifting snowflakes and the warmth of a crackling fire.
• We taste gingerbread cookies and eggnog.
• We see Christmas lights and manger scenes.

Of all these sensory delights, sparkling or glowing Christmas lights please my senses the most. I love to drive through lighted neighbourhoods on a quiet winter evening to enjoy the beautifully decorated yards and homes. My lighted Christmas tree, glowing in a darkened room, is my favourite Christmas decoration. Candlelight and the glow of the fireplace add to the ambience.

Church steeples, sometimes topped with a cross to remind us of Christ's sacrificial death in our behalf, reach high into the sky, drawing the eye upward as the steeple points to God. A Christmas tree, tapering to a point and topped with a star, is a sort of miniature steeple, also carrying a certain kind of symbolism. The star is intended to remind us of the star of Bethlehem, which led the wise men to the manger of the baby Jesus. The Christmas tree, as a miniature steeple with its star topper pointing to God, can also remind us of God's wonderful gift of His only Son, given for the salvation of the world.

Just as Christmas lights shine brightly to illuminate the darkness, so did Jesus come to the world to bring light.

John 8:12 – Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." (NLT)

Lights, whether they are street lights, car headlights, flashlights, or candles, provide light to show the way in the darkness. Jesus, as the light of the world, provides light in our dark, sin-filled world.

As we enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas this year, let's open our hearts to Jesus as the light of the world.

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, You gave us the greatest gift of all when You sent Your Son Jesus to bring light into our world. Please shine His light into our hearts so that we can receive Your gift and walk in truth as You reveal it to us. Amen.

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About the author:

Gail Lundquist <gail10833@gmail.com>
Beaverton, Oregon, USA
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