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Love's Pure Light

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

I have a confession. 

I have been more than a little 'bah humbug' this year. I don't really know why. We are settled in our new house this year. Grandkids have come and gone and are still coming and going. It's been a beautiful, tropical Florida Christmas season. We did a great program at our church. And, yet, I'm just not feelin' it... 

Until tonight.

Tonight was our annual Christmas Eve candlelight service at church. It is undeniably one of my favorite services every year and is always packed. Tonight was no different. 

During the weeks leading up to the holiday, our pastor has been preaching a series of sermons called "The Light of Christmas" from the first chapter of John. Our Christmas musical was also themed around the light. And tonight, I saw the light.

Because I was singing with our Praise Team on the platform, I had a bird's eye view of the entire sanctuary. The lights were dimmed at the end and our pastors came forward with lit candles while we began to sing "Silent Night". They each lit a few candles and then those few lit a few candles. From where I was standing, I could see where the light was and see where the patches of darkness remained. As the flame was handed off from person to person, the darkness diminished and the light grew. There was a lump growing in my throat, too. At one point I just stopped and watched....overcome by the beauty of it.

As the light in the sanctuary overtook the darkness, it occurred to me that before me was a picture of how God intended His light to be spread to all the world. One person at a time, handing off the flame, again and again until every little pocket of darkness is dispelled. 

I am not a young woman. I have been to many candlelight services. I have sung "Silent Night" hundreds of times. Tonight was one of those nights when I just saw it all with fresh eyes. Especially when we got to the last verse:

Silent Night, Holy Night
Son of God, Love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

This season is the celebration of the dawn of God's plan for redeeming man found in the pure light of His Son. There is much darkness in this world, it is up to us to spread the Light.

May you be blessed with the radiant beams of God's pure light and love this Christmas and may you know the redeeming grace that began that night! Merry Christmas!


Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 25, 2012 at 12:05 AM

    Beautiful, Judie. Thank you for being HIS light!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. From My HeartDecember 25, 2012 at 12:11 AM

      Thank you, my friend. Love you and have a wonderful Christmas!

      Delete
  2. UnknownDecember 25, 2012 at 8:00 AM

    And a radiant light it is.
    Beautiful post.
    Happy Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Joy MomentsDecember 26, 2012 at 11:25 AM

    Thank you for this post - and so glad He is my light. Debbie W. (OBS Leader)

    ReplyDelete
  4. KarenDecember 26, 2012 at 2:39 PM

    Judie, What a beautiful new perspective, and what a blessing to see His light spread right before your eyes! I pray that I will let God's light shine through me. Thank you!! Karen (OBS Leader)

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownJanuary 3, 2013 at 12:13 PM

    Judie, that was so beautiful. My Church also does a Candlelight service and sings Silent Night, and I also have that wonderful "picture" of Jesus love spreading through the world. I get a beautiful "picture" in Romans 1:16-17 of His "light" being passed from person to person. And that service just "Lights Up" that picture in my mind! Thank you so much for sharing and giving me a new deeper perspective! Lynda Parker (OBS Leader)

    ReplyDelete
  6. JustMeJanuary 3, 2013 at 4:43 PM

    Judie, my prayer for you is that this great Light will shine brighter and brighter in your heart and that God will present you opportunities in this new year to share that Light in the dark world. Father, look at Judie's heart and bless her, enlarge her tent. In Jesus name. Amen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. From My HeartJanuary 4, 2013 at 9:34 AM

      Thank you so much for your kind words and your prayer! You are a wonderful encourager! Judie

      Delete
  7. BethJanuary 4, 2013 at 9:05 AM

    Judie, beautiful post. Thank you for sharing your perspective. Love it when things "hit" us like that.
    Beth A. (OBS Group Leader)

    ReplyDelete

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