One of my favorite things about writing Truth in the Tinsel was discovering (or perhaps, re-discovering) all the “light” references in the Christmas story.

Day 1 of the book focuses on Isaiah 9:2-7,

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

The world was filled with darkness. But God promised a light. A Light.

Later on (Day 8 in the book), we read Luke 1:57-80. In which Zechariah prophesies after his son’s birth. He says that his son, John (the Baptist) will prepare the way for Messiah, the anointed one,

“And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation, through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (verses 76-79)

Do you see? More light! Jesus is the rising sun that will shine on those living in darkness, in the shadow of death!

After Jesus is born, he is taken to the temple as was their custom. In Luke 2:21-40 a man named Simeon who had been waiting on the Messiah said this as he blessed Jesus,

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismissyour servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

A light for revelation to the Gentles! LIGHT!

And of course, we know in John 12:46 Jesus himself says,

“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

When I was writing the ebook and saw all of this in order, it was just so big and clear to me. Jesus is the Light of the world. And not just that–we live and breathe darkness. Our world and our hearts are full of darkness. Jesus came to dispel that darkness. It made me that much more excited about the book–I wanted to share that Light with others!

Today in church, the sermon title was, “Let There Be Light” and the pastor brought up two more awesome examples of Jesus as the light. One starts at the very beginning,

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.”

Imagine that pre-creation darkness. That pre-sun, pre-moon, pre-star darkness. It’s like nothing we can even comprehend. Nothing I want to experience, honestly. This is the physical example of what God would do thousands of years later. What he planned before Genesis 1:1, to separate the true darkness by saying, “Let there be light!” Let there be Jesus! Let there be salvation!

And how did He announce that salvation to the world? With a light! A star! A bright star that had people following it from around the world!

When I sat down in the service today and saw the title of the message, I said, “This is Truth in the Tinsel!” This is what God taught me through this ebook and the facebook page. That Jesus is Light. I live in darkness. My flesh desires darkness. But Jesus. Oh, Jesus came to earth as a pinprick of light. A light that would soon take over the whole world. That would alter December with dead trees in our homes, red and green blinking lights and beautifully wrapped presents. He would alter kingdoms and countries and empires. He would alter people and homes and hearts.

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:4-5)

May your Christmas this year be merry, yes, but most of all, may it be BRIGHT with the Light of Jesus!

 

{Watch the Let There Be Light service online today at 9am, 11am, 2pm, 6pm or 10pm! Really, it’s worth a click!}

photo source: north point ministries

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
It’s the hap-happiest season of all!
Christmastime is here, happiness and cheer.
Fun for what the children call, their favorite time of year!

So, is it? Are you having the hap-happiest season of all? Is it the most wonderful time of the year? Are your kids saying that this is their most favorite month all year?! I hope so! But sometimes I know my to-do list is so long and so immediate during December, I think short-tempered, frazzled mama does not always help make this the most wonderful time of the year.

{read my full post at Motherhood Your Way…}

 

photo source: pipnstuff

Tonight Lydia and I snuggled up in her bed for a story. I also had the computer and two gift cards.

Why?

Because tonight we read The King’s Christmas List. It was our new favorite book last year and started a fabulous tradition for us–giving gifts to Jesus. Asa and Lydia picked out gifts from the World Vision catalog to give to Jesus. Lydia chose bunnies and Asa a goat. We talked about those bunnies and that goat all month long. Asa knew he had given a gift to Jesus and was excited about that goat!

In our Advent activities we made a giant box that stayed under our tree for all of December. Inside were hidden two scriptures. And on Christmas morning we opened the box first to read them. As the kids opened this special box Asa said, “Is it a goat?” His two-year old self couldn’t understand giving a goat to Jesus, but I loved seeing his sweet little face ask that question because it showed me how real that gift to Jesus was to him.

 

This year we have yet to sit down and pick out our gifts. Lydia looks through the World Vision and Compassion catalogs all the time and when Samartian’s Purse catalog came full of QR codes she scanned every single one to watch the videos about each gift. I think she’s leaning toward honey bees and Asa will probably get a cow. (He’s all about the milk!)

But let’s get back to the giftcards and the story tonight. Razoo, an online fundraising site sent Lydia and Asa a $10 gift card to give to an organization of their choice. After reading the book, we searched for our favorite organizations, watched their videos, read their descriptions. Lydia chose Square Peg ministries here in metro Atlanta (which is also run by my mom, my brother and sister-in-law and my best friend, Kristen). They work with at-risk kids in Atlanta providing homework help, summer camps and Bible clubs. She was so excited to give to these kids, her family and to Jesus.

I can’t wait to show Asa his card tomorrow and see which organization he chooses. He’ll probably want to find one that gives milk to babies! This Christmas, take a few minutes away from the mall and the stores to give the best present of all: a gift to Jesus. A gift that really and truly GIVES. You could even skip the mall all together and buy a Giving Card from Razoo–that way your friends and family could have their own experience in giving to Jesus! It’s giving and receiving in one small gift!

Check out my Pinterest board for Gifts That Give More!

source: nkronberg