Let there be light!

In many places in the Bible, light represents the entrance of the divine presence in the ordinary world, clarity for decision-making, and guidance for life’s journey. The first recorded statement was one spoken by God to jump-start the creation of our beautiful world.

“I am the light of the world.” – John 8:12 

In Jewish sanctuaries, there was a fire that burned perpetually at the altar, and the priests were tasked with rekindling it daily with wood so it doesn’t go out. It represented perpetual conversation between God and man. However, unlike the fire that burns out or lamps whose wick need to be replaced continually, Jesus is that eternal light that always shines. He never goes out because He is alive and active in anyone who believes in Him. 

He is the light of openness and trust and vulnerability. He is the light that gives clarity and sense of purpose. He is the light that guides through and through and ignites hearts for exploits.

And he says you, yes YOU — are the light of the world.

Darkness only prevails in a place until the light is shone. The one who was born on a wintry night is the light the world needs. The one who is now made a light is the one who shows what the world needs.

Do not stay hidden. Shine!

“You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5:14

THE END

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How do you feel when the odds are against you; when you feel that everyone around you, who should celebrate you is out to get you? How do you respond when you feel defeated before you even step out to achieve something good in your life?

Jesus’ survival was at stake from the get-go. The throne during his day was against him — the king sent assassins after him. At such challenging times, it is very easy to lose hope and yield control to the difficult situation. But as I read through the story from the Bible, I started to think to myself:

Who is really in control?

Is it the earthly throne that could be snatched in a coup by someone more powerful, the throne that could become empty when the one who sits on it stops breathing? Could it be that the existing powerful challenges and authority I so quickly cower before is only as valid and the fleeting breath in every human?

God showed us through Jesus’ story that He is in control, not anyone else, so that the next time you feel small and threatened, you can pause and ask yourself — who is really in control?

I hope you know the answer.

Here’s a hint: it’s your heavenly Father who sits on the throne.

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Scripture: “ — no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,” Isaiah 54:17

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Doves and Pigeons!

They are cute stout-bodied members of the Columbidae family with short necks and bills that have a large distribution in most places in the world. Turtle doves and pigeons were utilized on the day of Jesus’ dedication and his life surely had its share of birds! In those times, a dove often represented the descent of the Spirit, the presence of God or the manifestations of power!

But unlike these beautiful birds, the Spirit of God is in fact, everywhere. And the best news is that, because of Jesus, He is still here, with us. And not just around in nature, but inside of everyone who believes in Him, and is able to provide power, comfort, truth, strength, and direction for everything life spins at you.

Jesus’ fulfilled promise, “I will send him unto you,” holds true today.

Do you know him?

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“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed” - Luke 4:18

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In Jesus’ time, the temple was a place of fortification. It was a sacred place, the seat of spiritual authority, and to the people, a place to detox, to congregate, to fellowship, to learn, and be empowered. It was a symbol of hope in the perilous history of the Jews. Jesus was dedicated at the temple, which was a portal of divine connectedness as the Jews often said, “it is God’s dwelling place.”

You — are a temple. You are God’s dwelling place.

What does this mean?

It means that you need to protect that place within — that temple that is YOU. Take time to cultivate your mind and spirit. Build, weed, nurture and protect your internal space. Learn to think, grow your faith, sharpen your perspective and open your heart to love and be loved. All this is possible when God’s spirit breathes life to dead places and pours fresh water into your dry land.

Any sacredness, any excellence, any wisdom, any good thing you will exude to others will come from within.

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“— your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you —” -1 Corinthians 6:19

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A compass reminds me of a journey.

Joseph and Mary were directed by God to Egypt, so they would avoid Herod’s murderous campaign. It was no doubt, an arduous journey. It was an uncharted terrain in their lives - giving birth to their first son while escaping from the sword of the most powerful person in their jurisdiction. But it was worth it because they carried Jesus, who grew to become the Savior of the whole world.

In His adult life, Jesus had a sense of purpose and was directed by God in all He did. He’s finished the course and has passed the life-baton to you.

“What do you want to do with your life?” “Who are your friends?” “ Is this business a good deal?” “What do you want to study?” “Who do you want to marry?”

Trust me, you need direction.

Your life is a journey through uncharted terrain. You have a purpose, but you do not have a map so you do not know every little detail about your life’s journey. If you did, you wouldn’t need faith.

But you have a compass from the One who says “I will lead you and show you the way to go.”

If you set Him as your true north and your sights on the glory and purpose of your creation, He will make your journey through the triumphs and challenges of life worth it. He will direct your path.

You can trust Him. You don’t have to travel alone.

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I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. - Psalm 32:8

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Crowns represent authority, royalty, and kingship.

Good things ehn? 

But Herod, the one who wore the crown at the time when Jesus was born was after his life. He felt threatened by the little baby that was called the King of the Jews. In the process of hunting the baby Jesus, he caused pain for many mothers and families. He thought the violence would assert the authenticity of his rulership.

"Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." Matthew 2:13

Herod’s sword could not take off Jesus’ crown because God’s shield was over him. Jesus is the true king who died and brokered the peace and salvation of his people through the sacrifice of His blood.

So what swords are threatening your crown? Your identity? Your passion? Your heart?

Are the crowns within? Remember that you are only being hunted because you are an asset to this generation. You are valuable.

You are a child of the King if you believe. And that means there is Someone looking out for you. Trust that He will take care of you.

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“When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;” – Matthew 2:3

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The sword is a historical weapon of war. The soldiers king Herod sent to find and kill Jesus most likely took swords. They went in the power of the king, ready to wreak havoc on countless lives. With swords, we remember shields.

Thankfully, Herod’s sword could not take off Jesus’ crown because God’s shield was over him. 

Here is something exciting — Jesus is your shield. He took the hits so you do not have to. And that divine shield is still active today. It works for anyone who trusts Him.

Do you know this?

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“— he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” Psalm 18:30

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At this time, checkout lines in many stores are longer than usual — filled with parents shopping for kids, spouses, and friends shopping for each other (if you are reading this in 2020, online traffic is greater than ever due to global pandemic precautions). Stores are sending out last-minute emails so online shoppers can order gifts that would come in time for Christmas. Millions of secret Santa gifts and year-end bonuses are being passed around, and the gift bag and wrapper business is booming.

It’s no surprise that there’s so much giving at Christmas. The wise men brought gifts — gold, frankincense, and myrrh when they came to see Jesus in the manger, and though the Bible did not attach any symbolic meaning to the gifts, it was clear that the gifts were accompanied by worship and they meant something to Mary and Joseph.

The birth of Jesus was the manifestation of God’s gift to humanity. A gift that had a purpose - to broker a pathway back to God. When anyone receives Jesus, they receive the gift of life and light and peace and joy that sustains them through life’s journey.

As Jesus is God’s gift to man, so you are to your generation. This season, disabuse your mind of self-doubt. Let today’s toy remind you that:

You are a gift. You have a purpose.

You have a gift — a unique ability or characteristic — and that gift has a purpose.

In addition to the greatest gift, Jesus, that unique ability that you have (the one you often are quick to despise as inconsequential) is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your worship and your gift to your generation.

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“Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense, and myrrh.” –Matthew 2:11

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My fourth toy is a shepherd’s crook.

The shepherds who visited baby Jesus must have had a crook with them — a long and sturdy staff with a hook at one end that comes in handy to manage their sheep as they forage. They use it to catch and pull back a wandering sheep, it becomes a weapon to defend against predators, it helps to balance when walking rough terrain and it is used to part tall undergrowth when looking for lost sheep.

“I am the good shepherd… and I lay down my life for the sheep.” — Jesus (paraphrased from John 10:11)

It’s no coincidence that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, was visited by shepherds as a baby. That should say something to you — because of who He is, He is able to direct the course of your life, catch you when you are wandering off into danger, and defend you against predators. And He can wade through the entanglement of disobedience to find you. 

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and all his sheep are within his reach.

But the big question is, are you one of his sheep?

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“ — your rod and your staff, they comfort me,” –Psalm 23:4

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Unfamiliar voices, the bleating of sheep, the braying of donkeys — these sounds quickly let us know that the stable is no place for a baby to be born. Yet, you can almost palpate the air of love and warmth, and joy, when that scene is re-enacted in stage, plays today.

If you have recently experienced an unwelcome or unpleasant change in circumstances or fortune, hear this — Do not be afraid, for you have a champion — Jesus — who was born in a manger.

It was no cot, but the baby Jesus felt comfy in the manger surrounded by the love of his parents on that wintry night. God chose the manger to let you know that he’s okay with the uncomfortable situations and awkward positions life sometimes puts you in.

If you look closely, you will find comfort even when you feel out of place. In a friendly face, a soft-spoken word, the sound of gentle whispers, a light pat on your back, the unnoticed glimpses of Jesus’ glowing face will bring hope and comfort, and calmness to the raging storms in your life.

And Jesus does not discriminate. He comes to whoever invites Him. If that’s your heart, He will come. And he will pat your back and say — I am here. For you.

In the vicissitudes of life, you can find divine providence.

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“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn.” – Luke 2:77

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