Where is Your Light? By Dr. Lisa Burkhardt Worley
God is light; in him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5, NIV).
We just celebrated the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, at our church. Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish celebration commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem around the 2nd century BCE. It followed the Jewish people’s victory over the Seleucid Greek rulers who had suppressed Jewish religious practices. According to tradition, there was only enough consecrated oil to light the menorah for one day, but it miraculously burned for eight days. That’s why the menorah is lit for eight nights each year.
What I find interesting is that the timing of this celebration is situated near our remembrance of the birth of Christ, Christmas. And in John 8:12, Jesus describes Himself as the light of the world: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.This may be why I love this time of year so much.
The lights on my Menorah, my Christmas tree, and the mantle remind me of my two heritages, both Christian and Jew, that are significant in my life.
But the lights around us mean nothing if we don’t represent light ourselves. Are we so caught up with the stress of the holidays that no one can see the light and hope within us? The lights of Hanukkah were lit after a long and challenging battle, but they symbolize victory. Jesus sacrificed His life for us so that we could access His light. His selfless act gave us victory over death.
These truths should be enough for us to lay our temporary problems aside and be a light to a lost and wandering world. People need hope during the holidays, and if we don’t bear the light, who will? Today, will you take time to reach out to a friend? Hug a neighbor? Love that difficult family member?
Will you be the light?
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16, NIV).
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