CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Have you ever wondered why Christmas is celebrated with lighted trees? Why folks risk their lives hanging "icicles" around the edges of their roofs? Or why municipalities have "light up ______ celebrations?" After all, there is no such focus on other religious holidays; there are no "Easter Lights," "Thanksgiving Lights," etc. The closest thing to the Christmas lights is the Menorah of the Jewish Hanukkah. And, purely by coincidence, today is the first day of Hanukkah this year.

Jewish tradition says that when the Second Temple was desecrated by Anitochus Epiphanes in 167 B.C., the Jews, in what has become known as the Maccabean Revolt, successfully took control of Jerusalem. The Temple was liberated and rededicated. The Festival of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, was instituted to celebrate that event. According to the Jewish Historian, Flavius Josephus, a miracle occurred when, having only enough oil for the Golden Lamp for one day, the oil lasted for the entire eight nights and days of the festival. The Festival of Lights, which begins at sunset on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Kislev, usually occurs in December.

Another theory concerning Christmas lights has to do with the "Star of Bethlehem." Those familiar with Jewish tradition, which apparently included the Magi, were looking for the "Star of Jacob" (Num. 24:17; Matt. 2:1-2, 9-10). I seriously doubt that the light they saw was actually a star, in that, stars do not travel and make ninety degree left turns (Bethlehem is almost due south of Jerusalem). However, what they believed to be a star could have been an angel sent to guide them. Angels are sometimes known as "stars" (Rev. 12:4, 7-9; 18:1).

My favorite explanation for Christmas being celebrated by lots of lights has to do with the "Light of the World." John's Gospel says this: "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I AM the Light of the World: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life" (Jn. 8:12). In the next chapter, the Lord again describes Himself as the "Light of the World": Jesus said, "As long as I AM in the world, I AM the Light of the World" (Jn. 9:5). Matthew wrote: "The people which sat in darkness saw a great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up" (Matt. 4:16). In Acts, Luke, writing of Paul's conversion, said this:

"And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he (Paul) fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?' And he said, 'Who art Thou, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I AM Jesus whom thou persecutest..." (Acts 9:3-5).

The great invitation of Christmas is to open our hearts to the Savior who came to end our darkness. I have spoken of His first Advent being celebrated by Christmas lights, but a much greater light is yet future, and it has to do with His second Advent. In John's vision of Him, he said "His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And the light of His Second Coming will not be welcomed by some: "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming" (2 Thes. 2:8). Are you ready for Jesus, the Light of the World?