At Christmas - God's Gifts Of Life And Light

"Today's Devotion" For December 5, 2005

Read: John 1:1-14; I John 1:1-10

AT CHRISTMAS - GOD'S GIFT OF LIGHT AND LIFE

"In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (Jn. 1:4, 5)

From both a secular and sacred perspective, the time of Christmas is a time to celebrate life. It's a time of hopefulness to many, apart from faith in Jesus. The anticipation of receiving a gift, especially among children, helps retain something of a positive, festive atmosphere for even a secular Christmas. Organizations, such as the United States Marine Corps' "Toys For Tots" program, have brought new life and hope into the lives of poor children around the world as they collect and distribute gifts of toys at Christmas.

With such an emphasis on and sense of life and hope surrounding even the secular view of Christmas, it's quite ironic to be reminded that death is still very much a reality. It doesn't take a holiday. It doesn't rest, even during the Christmas season. Yesterday's newspaper reminded me of this when I read a front page story about the lead poisoning problem, especially among poor children in the city. It seems that our poor are living in old homes that still have lead-based paint dusting and chipping. Two little four year old children were featured. Federal law mandates a complete abatement of the lead-based paint problem by 2010, yet it's estimated that even in that year 1,300 poor children will still be affected. Lead poisoning is a silent killer, leading to long term health problems, mental instability, emotional problems, and even death.

You may also have noticed that the "Obituary" section of newspapers around the nation have not shut down for the holiday. Last night my son informed me that a former, fellow hurdler at his high school, who had gone to another school this year, was killed in a car accident just this weekend - he was 16 years old. People are known to all of us who are dying and suffering and hurting and crying even though it's the Christmas season; and many because it's the Christmas season. To paraphrase an old title, "Death (doesn't) take a holiday."

That's where all of us, as God's redeemed and forgiven children, come in. In our preparation for the solemn festival of Christmas, the celebration of our Lord and Savior's birth, we share a time of rejoicing that God's peace has come upon His Creation with everyone. We are His witnesses that God has become human flesh in order to walk with us, be among us, and save us and the whole world from the ravages of Sin, Death, and Satan. In our preparations for this solemn feast, we also take the time to share the light and life that faith in Jesus brings to a dark and troubled world. In the face of the reality of death, disease, pain, suffering, hunger, homelessness, hopelessness, war, strife, crime, and all the myriad things people do to harm others, we bring the light of Christ and His love to others. Jesus is life and He is light. He is the only hope of sinners; the only hope in the face of Sin and Death.

John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way for Jesus to come to the people of God - to Israel - in fulfillment of God's promise to send the Messiah. John's message of preparation was believed by many but not by all. John's message comes down to this present day as through the Scriptures he continues to "prepare the way of the Lord" for us and the world. We have believed; we are called to share that same faith with others and, with John the Baptist, "prepare the way of the Lord" so that others might believe as well and receive God's gift of life and light who is Jesus - not only at Christmas, but for all eternity. So, as we prepare to give our gifts to those we love again this Christmas, perhaps we can take the time to also love others who are strangers and share with them the life and light of Christ - it's the best possible gift we can give.

Prayer: Father, in the hubbub and hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, it's really very easy to forget that the reality of Sin and Death still touch people's lives. Yet, as I am reminded by the news media, people are suffering and dying because of the darkness of Sin all over the world. As I prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth again this year, I pray, gracious Father, that You would fill my heart with the burning desire to share Your love in Christ with those who don't yet know Him. I pray that my life and words might reflect the true gifts of Christmas - life and light in Jesus who is the "Light of the world" whom "the darkness has not overcome." There can be no greater gift at this, or any other time of the year, Father, than to receive Your grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness in Christ. Help me to be Your instrument to "prepares the way of Lord" in this age. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright ©2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.