I’m guessing that you have the same reaction I do when you read disturbing news stories. You sigh. You pray, “Help our country/world, Lord. Please have mercy on us.” But you feel discouraged, defeated even. The world seems so dark and we feel so small. Well, I want to remind you of good news.
Yes, the world is dark, but we have the Light. This Light gave life to everyone, yet we choose whether we embrace his light or not.

“In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it. ”  John 1:1-5

“And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light . . . “ John 3:19-21

“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.” John 8:12

“I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.” John 12:46

Yes, the world is dark and we are small, yet we are called on to be lights in the world. When you look at  a Christmas tree, think of each small bulb on the tree. Alone, one bulb wouldn’t have much effect. But when connected to other little bulbs on a string of lights which is connected to a power source, they give light that is welcoming and beautiful.  So it is with us.  When we are connected to other believers in loving unity and plugged in to God’s power flowing through us, we show the way to those in darkness.

https://www.biblicaltoolbelt.com/art-temple-tabernacle-series/

Also, think of the Menorahs that shine for Hanukkah. Together the candles can illuminate a room and traditionally they are placed in a window to give light to those outside who are in the dark. Modern menorahs for Hanukkah are slightly different than the Mosaic lampstand in the Tabernacle which had been fashioned according to the pattern God gave Moses on the mountain. (Exodus 25) It had three branches on either side of a central ‘trunk’ each having a small bowl of oil which had to be replenished daily to keep the wicks burning. It illuminated the Holy Place as its only source of light. By the light of the menorah, the priests served God by placing twelve new, large loaves of bread each Sabbath on a golden table, and burning sweet incense which represented prayers going up to God. Each was symbolic of the coming Messiah and his relationship with his people.  He would be the Light of the world, the Bread of life, and the Intercessor who prays for us.

What the Tabernacle may have looked like.

Later, ten lampstands of some type stood in the grand Solomon’s Temple for over four hundred years until the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Seventy years later, some of the exiles returned and rebuilt a temple, but not with the glory of the first splendid Temple.  It was smaller and no longer had the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place which represented God’s presence.  About five hundred years later,  Herod renovated and expanded this Second Temple.  The Wailing Wall is part of the retaining wall Herod built on which the Temple courtyard rested.  This renovated Temple of Jesus’ day seems to have contained a menorah like the original one in the Tabernacle.  It is described in historical records and sculptures. We know that Jesus was in Jerusalem to celebrate Hannukah, the Feast of Lights* which celebrated the tradition that the menorah in the Temple during Maccabean times (about 164 BC) stayed lit for 8 days on one day’s worth of oil. (This is said to have occurred during the silent period after the last Old Testament prophet and before Jesus was born.). The temple that existed in Jesus’ time was destroyed in 70 AD by the Roman army who carried the treasures of the temple to Rome where the proceeds were used to build the Colosseum.(1) They also carried 100,000 Jews into captivity to Rome where they may have been part of the labor force that built the Colosseum.

A frieze of the Arch of Titus in Rome: the menorah taken from the Temple after the fall of Jerusalem AD 70.

Obviously, lights aren’t self-illuminating. They are dependent on a source be it oil, electricity, or batteries. So it is with us. We don’t have light if left to ourselves. Our light comes from God and shines brightest when we are closely connected to him by obedience and connected to other believers in unity.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

What can we do this Christmas week to shine the light of Jesus in dark places?  We certainly can’t do it on our own, but God will provide us with the ability to light the way for others.  The above verse tells us that good deeds are a light to others and bring glory to God.  When we’re connected to God through prayer, obedience (loving others), meditating on the Bible, and regularly attending corporate worship and learning, we have his power to do the right thing.  When we’re connected to other believers through time spent together (phone calls count!), serving others, praying for their needs, and offering them grace in spite of their faults, we shine brighter together.  I know I need to keep my schedule from becoming over-crowded so I can talk to family and friends and genuinely listen without being rushed and distracted.  I do set aside time to serve others.  I also need to get back to regularly inviting guests to share a meal with us.  The best conversations happen at the table!  When I was young and mothering a big family, my good deeds were mostly exactly that- mothering.  There is no guilt here for young (or old) moms busy caring for their family!  We each have been gifted in unique ways to show God’s light.  Shine!

1. “The Emperor Caesar Vespasian Augustus ordered this new amphitheater to be erected using the spoils of war”.  Engraved on the entrance of the colosseum after construction began in 72 AD.  https://historycollection.com/sack-ancient-temple-funded-building-colosseum/
2. Personal note:  the donkey in the manger scene is owned by one of our daughters.  He would have adored the Child.  He is very gentle with children and allows them to do what adults aren’t allowed to do.

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