The miracle of the Light

During birthday celebrations, we light candles to symbolize our years of birth. Sometimes, we stop lighting candles because the candles become so many! The point is, we traditionally associate birthdays with light. 

The Bible does same thing with Jesus' birthday. John wrote in John 1:9 that Jesus was "the true light." His birth light was exclusive in its power and majesty. He didn't need candles -- He was light Himself!

"Adoration of the Shepherds" by Gerard van Honthorst, 1622

In Hebrew, the word for light is "or. When God said "let there be light," in Genesis 1:3, the idea could be interpreted to mean that He commanded order in the midst of chaos, according to Ancient Hebrew.org. Was John thinking about light and order when he wrote about the arrival of Jesus? 

Light was also associated with the Word of God. In Psalm 119:105 the word is called a lamp. John used that same imagery to describe Jesus -- as the Word of God made flesh.
Was John trying to tell us that the Word (Jesus) commanded order (light) to come into a darkened world?

Paul picked up a similar theme when he wrote: For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6, ESV). 

God chose an ordinary young woman to deliver the Light of the world and chose an ordinary man to protect both of them. What was it like for Mary and Joseph to gaze upon the face of baby Jesus and remember all that had been prophesied about Him? When the shepherds saw that baby-twinkle in His eyes did they gasp with awe? 

During this Hanukkah week, it's great to remember that Jesus is the light of the world. (Read about Hanukkah, also called the Feast of Dedication or the Festival of Lights, here.) It's also critical to remember that at Hanukkah Jesus declared that "I and the Father are one." In other words, it seemed that Jesus connected the celebration of light with the Father and the Son.

When we accept Jesus into our hearts, we become mini-lights ourselves. We carry God's light with us. He expects us to share His light in every loving way we can. 

"For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light" (Eph. 5:8. ESV).

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