5th Day of Advent, December 6, 2018

 Christmas Lights!  In my neighborhood, they started coming out during the Thanksgiving Weekend.  Along with the lights, I also observed blown up Christmas characters, scenes of characters decked in Christmas attire and also a nativity scene or two.  But for me, I love the lights of Christmas.
This fascination with Christmas lights probably began when I was a young child and my family would gather together to decorate our Christmas tree.  Mom would bring out the decorations and Dad, along with my older brother, would magically appear with the perfect tree to decorate.  My sister and I would trim the tree with an assortment of festive decorations, and of course, lights. 
Once everything was in place and the room was dark, we would turn on the lights and that was when my heart jumped for joy.  Seeing our living room filled with those glorious Christmas tree lights instilled memories forever to a little girl living in Missouri.  To this day, I experience that same joy as I turn on our Christmas lights once everything is in place.  Of course, now because of the wonderful technology of timers, I get to walk into my living room every morning and be welcomed by Christmas lights filling the space.
As I have grown older, these Christmas lights still bring me joy, but they point to a greater joy.  These lights remind me of the true light of Christmas that shines forever and ever and extends a promise to you and me.  Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:3).  To me, this light of Jesus brings a greater joy than any Christmas lights shown in my living room or neighborhood. 
This Christmas season, may we all follow Him, live in Him, trust in Him, and be comforted in the truth that you belong to Him.  The light has come into the world, and it is Jesus. 
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Pastor Deborah Schauer