The Beauty of Christmas Light

S - 1 John 1:5-10 (NIV): "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives."

O - Christmas, the Kingdom come and the Kingdom which forever was and is, is all about the truth; the truth about everything, not just some things or primarily religious things but about all things. Its message speaks to all issues as they are, as they were intended to be and as they shall be … Christmas is simultaneously an end and a beginning, a struggle and a victory, a mystery and a simple, straightforward and unchanging message. The truth comes in flesh and brings unfaltering hope into all situations and circumstances. The truth makes possible the impossible. In our crowded, hurried and hassled lives every heart needs to prepare him room. The truth is that Christmas context is all about what's wrong with us and our world … the Christmas content is Emmanuel (God with us). The result is far better than the temporary relief and catharsis of confession … it is the abiding joy of assured transformation come what may.

A - I am not called to some truth but to all truth … and this is what makes real, full and lasting reconciliation possible. Light enables the walking (the fellowship with God and man) and light indiscriminately shines. This is how I am to look at myself, my God and my world. Most folks are willing to admit some facts/truth … Christmas calls us to embrace all the facts/truth … and this is where heaven touches earth.

P - Lord who is Christmas,

Yea, Lord we greet thee … to you be all the glory given. Thank you for coming into the truth of our sad world and dark lives. Thank you for loving us where we are and for loving us too much to leave us there. Thank you for not only calling us to the truth but for always being present there, meeting us there and at that very place for inviting us to walk with you into a transformed future.

Happy Birthday,

Steve