Your Daily Devotional for December 4, 2007

 

December 4,  2007

 

 

The True Light of Christmas

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

 

Psalm 27:1

 

 

The lights on a Christmas tree or the ones hanging from the outside of your house are not the true lights of Christmas. In the Christmas story, the wise men found the true light. They were not seeking to worship the star, the angels, or even Mary; they were seeking Jesus Christ.

 

When Jesus Christ ascended to Heaven, His light remained on earth. Psalm 119:105 says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Second Peter 1:19 says, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:"

 

Time does not change principles. We still have the true light of Christmas. In the past, the light came in swaddling clothes; today the light comes through the Bible. The Bible is a living book. Its truths are just as relevant and needful today as they were a thousand years ago.

 

When we read the Bible, the light of the Bible begins its unique work—removing the darkness in our lives. After reading a portion of Scripture we may think Wow! I really needed that, or I never saw that truth before. Or, we may suddenly close the Bible because it hit a painful area in our lives, or because it convicted our "stubborn" minds.

 

When you sit down to read the Bible, are you willing to change your mind every time the Lord convicts your heart? Are you willing to let the light of Jesus Christ shine through you even if that means changing your thoughts, your preferences, or your convictions? When we are not willing to change our minds it is as if we are saying, "Lord, in that area of conviction, I choose darkness."

 

May we never succumb to the point of choosing darkness. The living Word may convict your heart about a small matter. Even in this instance, choose light—choose a change of mind—for Jesus said, "for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth" (John 12:35).

 

If you have ever wanted a one-on-one conversation with God, here is your chance. Sit down and read His Word. He wants to speak to you! His Word is alive and ready to change your life. The wise men traveled from afar to seek the light of Christmas. Are you willing to travel to the Bible on your shelf to seek the true light of Christmas?

Daily Bible Reading

Ezekiel 47-48 • 1 John 3

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