A Christmas light in the air

All around, the Christmas lights are brightly shining. The red, blue, green and white lights are all glowing in their splendor. Window displays adorn the best stores. Moms and dads are slowly driving through neighborhoods so their children can take in all of the display. Sweethearts are keeping the chill of the winter air at bay by walking closer together keeping a lookout for mistletoe. It is Christmas.

There is just something about Christmas lights and displays. Front yards normally vacant throughout the year become alive with flashing lights. Homes transport themselves back in time with wreaths hung from the doors and windows marked with candles. Then there are the scenes of the Nativity -- a young woman and her husband who is not the father of this child. Even in the most elegant displays you can feel their fears and anxiety not only for being parents but being parents to this child. Wandering sheep are collected by their shepherds, who pause and gather in awe. All for the true light of Christmas wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger.

One of the most powerful passages from the Scriptures describing Christmas is in the first chapter of the gospel of John. While the chapter does not speak of the traditional Nativity elements of Mary and Joseph, mangers full of hay, Angelic Hosts, lowly shepherds and wise men who visit the child Jesus, it does proudly proclaim the nature of the child. The heart of Christmas is the light radiating from the manger that just hours, perhaps even minutes earlier, was used as a food trough. "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:4-5)

Jesus is the light of men. Humanity regardless of age, race, gender, tribe or tongue needs light. We are a people who are darkened in our souls. Like the light displays the hold the darkness at bay we need the darkness of our souls removed. John shares with us that before time even began Jesus, God the Son, was at work to overcome the darkness.

All that is life, all that we ever hope to have in an abundant life is contained in these 10 little fingers and 10 tiny toes. In Jesus darkness and death no longer have victory.

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Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father, minister and writer. Read more from him at www.robhurtgen.wordpress.com.