The Light of the Christmas Star....

I have always loved the picture of the little shepherd boy gazing heavenward at the bright shining star over Bethlehem.  The light that announced the coming of God's only Son to save a lost world from the darkness of sin.  I, too, want to gaze heavenward at the Light of this world each day that God gives me on this earth.  To allow His Light to seep into my heart and illuminate every dark shadow with His presence.  To bring me the joy and peace that we hear so much about this time of year.

One morning recently, I got to thinking about God's light pouring down on me and the shadow behind me from His light. 

First, that His light shines down on me, almost like a spotlight with a circle of light around me, to show me the next step.  If I try to look beyond the circle of light, it is dark.  Where the footstep in the darkness may lead can only be imagined.  I am only to take that next step on my path of life, that God is allowing me to see by His light.  If I choose to turn away from His light, then I will be taking those steps in darkness of my own shadow.   Because I am His child, He does not remove His light from me.  I create the shadow from His light behind me when I think I can do things my own way, in my own strength.  I came upon this verse in my pondering.  2 Corinthians 4:6,  "For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."    "Lord, help me to walk only in Your light that shines in my heart."

The second thought that rolled around my thinking was that when God's light shines on me, it also reflects off from me.  When I thought about the science of light bouncing off from objects it hits, it was a clear picture of God's light bouncing off from what He is doing in my life WHEN I am keeping my eyes focused on Him and walking in His lighted path for me.  The purpose of a light is so that one can see the way.  The purpose of God's plan for me is to reflect His light and His glory to those around me who may be struggling to keep their faces lifted towards God's  light of hope or may be choosing to walk in their own shadows.  One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 3:5 that says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding."   I have learned through many years of walking in God's light and trudging in my own shadow, that trusting the Lord for my very next step is the only place that I can find hope, peace and joy that the angels sang about in the lighted sky that night so long ago.  The song that God brought to me to sing for our Christmas Eve service tonight is the "Christmas Star" by Cece Winans.   These words say what my heart is thinking this morning.

 "The greatest gift that God could give became the Christmas Star.

There's a light that shines on everyone, 

Burning brighter everyday

For the souls who search for peace on earth

It's the Christmas Star that lights the way."

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to each of you and may you lift your face to the only source of peace and joy, Jesus Christ our Lord.