Saturday, December 3, 2016
Putting up lights on the house or on the Christmas tree at home or church is certainly a process. But in that process we with our families and friends enjoy a bright and shining sight that is worth enjoying ourselves and sharing!
ADVENT ADVENTURES: CHRISTMAS DECORATING
A long time ago there was an old man in a church who held up one light shortly after Christmas. You wouldn't think that he would do this after Christmas, but he had been waiting for the time when he would get to hold this special light that would give light to the entire world. That old man's name was Simeon. Luke 2 records this event saying, "Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 'Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.'"
When it comes to Christmas decorating, our hearts are the masterpieces of Christ. Hearts without Christ are dark and gloomy, without hope, without strength, and empty of God's love. But the promises of Jesus' coming and of His Word of redemption bring "life and immortality to light through the Gospel" (2 Timothy 1:10). Like Simeon, Jesus prepares our hearts by displaying His light there to shine with the warmth of His loving and saving gospel, the Advent and coming of Christmas. Like Simeon in the temple, we praise the Lord in the peace this light gives for our soul in this dark and evil world. Like Simeon, the joy of our Savior's birth and His salvation is what prepares our hearts to share that light with all the world.
As you're decorating this Advent and lifting up lights on the house or Christmas tree, think of the old man Simeon in the temple. Think of him getting to hold up baby Jesus, the light of God's love for the world, and praise his Savior for seeing face to face the light of his salvation. Think of Jesus' face, because it is His face you will see when you stand before Him redeemed, restored, and forgiven through His blood, while enjoying all the unimaginable decorations of your new eternal home with Him in heaven!
