The Light

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CURRENT RADIO SERIES The Gift   CURRENT TV SERIES Songs for the Savior

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 For many years of my life, I was a late-riser. I never liked getting up early if it wasn’t absolutely necessary. In fact, the idea of waking up before the sun rose was almost nauseating to me. But then we moved to Florida, and I kept hearing about the beautiful sunrises over the ocean. So one morning, I woke up to watch the sun rise. It was spectacular! From that time on, I got up to see the sun rise. And one of my favorite things about watching the sun rise was how slowly it emerged. You see, when the sun rises, it doesn’t just appear in the sky. Instead it starts with darkness … then bands of color begin to light the horizon. Soon, reds and oranges illuminate the eastern sky. And then you begin to see that big yellow ball peeking over the ocean, rising slowly until its circle appears fully on the water. It’s amazing! When heaven touched earth and God came into the world, it was like the dawning of the day. He could’ve just appeared, but instead He smiled on the world and His light began to slowly shine. He came to redeem us, to pay our debt and bring us out of the darkness. On that silent night so long ago, the light began to dawn. Thank God for that light today.

The Consolation of Christmas

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,”
Luke 2:25–27

Jesus came into the world with a definite purpose and mission. From the time He was a young boy, He was committed to doing His Father’s will and work in the world. And that purpose was to accomplish God’s plan of redemption for fallen mankind. Jesus was a great teacher, a miracle worker, a healer, an example and role model to follow, but none of those were His mission. He came to be the Saviour for all who believe.
The aged man Simeon who had been promised that he would see the Messiah before he died recognized the need of salvation. He understood that the curse of sin could only be overcome by the promised Messiah. That was the hope, the consolation which he so devoutly desired to see. And that hope of salvation is the true message of this holiday. The Lord said, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
In his Christmas song “Jesus, Baby Jesus” Dr. John Rice wrote:
Jesus, how the angels with delight the story told,
Told to Mary, Joseph and the shepherds at their fold,
Full of light, the heavens, as they chanted “peace on earth.”
Jesus, baby Jesus, what glad news, a Saviour’s birth!
Jesus, baby Jesus, there’s a cross along the way,
Born to die for sinners, born for crucifixion day.
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

The hope of Christmas is not seen in a manger, but in a cross and an empty tomb.