Holiday Newsletters

       Laboring Heart Ministry

                           Christmas Reflects the Light of God’s Glory

“Let there be light in the darkness, He has made this light to shine in our hearts so we could know the Glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-5, 14)

Christmas is a time of reflecting the light of His glory.  From the beginning of time God was reflecting His image into His creation through His light and glory.  His word say, He is light and in Him there is no darkness.  In the beginning God’s word said, “Let there be light and there was light.” (Gen 1:3)  He breathed the light of life into man and there he created a living soul.  God’s light became the wisdom of man to follow God’s instruction.  Man chose not to follow the light and plunged our world into darkness.  Our world became separated from God and His light.

Christmas time is about reflecting on a time when a dark world was longing and groaning for the promise spoken by Isaiah.  “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…”  (Isaiah (9:2, 6)   Seven centuries before Jesus birth, Isaiah the Prophet used an image of light and darkness to foretell the coming of a savior of the world.

 

 “In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:8-14)

The nativity portrays the dark stable in Bethlehem where shepherds kneeled beside the manager while others stand farther away.  One man holds a lantern, but the brightest light shines not from the lantern, but from the Christ child illuminating those around about Him. A baby light, the Christ child, Jesus that would be called the light of the world.

 

• A light overcoming the darkness
• A light illuminating with God’s Glory
• A light giving a miracle of Hope
• A light filled with Heaven’s Peace
• A light bursting forth with unspeakable Joy
• A light creating abundant Life, to every believing heart
• A light reflecting an everlasting Love for the world

Every year we prepare for the Christmas season by decorating and displaying lights to reflect that Christmas is here. There are an estimated 80 million homes decorated with lights each year to reflect the Christmas season. Approximately 40 million trees and 150 million strings of light will be sold. The Christmas lights are not only a display to celebrate Christmas, but the lights also signify the Hope, Peace, Happiness and reflect that Jesus is the Light of the World. 

 

• He is the True light. (John 1:9)
• He is the Son of righteousness (Malachi 4:2)
• He is the sunrise from on High (Luke 1:38-39)
• He is the bright morning Star (Rev 22:16)
• He is the Lamp of God’s Glory (Rev 21:23)

Jesus shines in this world to those who will open their hearts to Him. (2 Cor. 4:4-6)  Jesus can shine in our life reflecting God’s Glory by bringing new life, new hope, new reason for living, forgiveness and a personal relationship with the loving heavenly Father.  This Christmas Jesus wants us to reflect the light of His Glory.   So, let us open our hearts this Christmas season and let all the light shine through, so that others will see God’s Glory too.

                                                     Have a Blessed Christmas 
                                 Laboringheartministry.org
                                    Marty & Carolyn Tate