December is a month about light, or the lack thereof.
December is the month of waning sunlight and waxing darkness (at least in the northern hemisphere).
December creates a world of shadow and darkness, and, often, of loss and isolation.
This world in physical darkness cries out for light.
This world in spiritual darkness cries out for the Light OF the World.
The Winter Solstice and Light
Throughout history humans have been trying to bring light into the world.
With the taming of fire, humanity became like gods, able to control the light and conquer the darkness.
To people in colder and darker climes, fire and its light became even more important.
The people tracked the ever-changing ratio of day and night, of light and dark.
The people learned to celebrate the winter solstice, the time the daylight would begin to lengthen, the days of the return of the light.
Many religions had beliefs and rituals re the increasing light after the time of the winter solstice.
Today in the US many Christians celebrate Christmas in December.
This is to recognize the Incarnation of the Son of God as the Light OF the World.
This is to recognize that the light of salvation has overcome the darkness of sin.
46 “I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. John 12:46 NASB
Even non-Christians celebrate the season by celebrating the light when they put up Christmas trees and other lighted decorations.
Earlier this month, this image caught me off guard.
Sad to say, it actually took me a bit to get it.
For the record, Amish Christmas Traditions reports
Candles are lit and placed in the windows of Amish homes to represent the birth of Christ
Candles: A Symbol of The Light
Candles have been an important image of bringing light into the world.
For each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, many Christians light the candles of the Advent wreath. This is to celebrate the “Advent,” the “Coming,” of the Christ, the Anointed One of God.
Jews and Hebrew roots followers of Yeshua light the candles of the Hanukkah menorah over the eight days of the festival. The ninth candle is the shammash, the “servant” candle, and is used to light the other candles each night.
The feast of Hanukkah, also called the feast of Dedication, began about 164 BCE, during the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, one of the Seleucid Kings. The Seleucids were one of the heirs of Alexander the Great.
In 168 BCE, Antiochus, bent on Hellenizing his kingdom, conquered Judea, ransacked Jerusalem, and desecrated the Temple.
The story of the Maccabees (Hebrew for “Hammer”), the revolt, and the rededication of the Temple is told in the Apocrypha book, 1 Maccabees.
56 And so they kept the dedication of the altar eight days and offered burnt offerings with gladness, and sacrificed the sacrifice of deliverance and praise. 1 Maccabees 4:56 KJVA
Jesus Is the Light OF the World
To the Pharisees, Yeshua testified that He is the Light OF the world.
12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” 13So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not true.” John 8:12-13 NASB
To His disciples, Jesus said to do the work of the Father, as long as there is day, as long as He is with them.
4 “We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. 5 “While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” John 9:5 NASB
But Yeshua was not long for this world. He called on His followers to be sons of Light.
36 “While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them. John 12:36 NASB
Christians Are To Be The Light TO The World
While Yeshua is the Light OF the World, He has declared and sent out His disciples to be the Light TO the World.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 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. 16 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 NASB
As the Father sent Jesus into the world, so the Son sent His disciples into the world.
18 “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. John 17:18 NASB
The first “Lights” Jesus sent out to the world were the Twelve.
1 And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. 2 And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. Luke 9:2 NASB
He sent them throughout Judea.
1 Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
5 These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: “Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; 6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Matthew 10:5-7 NASB
Later He sent out the seventy to prepare the way ahead of Him.
1 Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. Luke 10:1 NASB
After His resurrection, Yeshua gave His disciples what we now call the Great Commission. This time, the command was to go to all nations.
8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NASB
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19, 20 NASB
However, Jesus did not send them (nor does He send us) out alone.
16 “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; John 12:16-18 NASB
7 “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. John 16:7 NASB
He sent them, as He sends us, with the flame, the fire, of the Holy Spirit.
1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. Acts 2:1-4 NASB
So I ask:
- Are you lit by the Flame of the Holy Spirit?
To paraphrase a song of the 60s?
“Come on Spirit, Light my fire.”
- As a Disciple, are you a spark, a candle, or a flame?
Father James Keller, a Roman Catholic priest said:
“A candle loses nothing of its light by lighting another candle.”
- Are you a candle-lighting candle?
- What have you got to lose?
More Questions to Ponder
- Do you know the One True Light?
- Does your life light the way through the darkness?
Take a look at this video based on Father Keller’s quote.
- As a Disciple, does your light ignite other sparks, other candles, other fires, because you are a Disciple Making Disciple?
Check out the words to this song.
(Enjoy the children’s voices – Bless their hearts!)
Remember the Hanukkah menorah?
Remember the shammash, the “servant” candle?
- Will you be that one candle, that one candle-lighting-candle, the shammash?
- Will you lead the Way?
Please let me know your thoughts, your answers, in the comment section below.
Blessings,
TLThomas
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3 NASB