My wife and kids accompany her sister and son every year on what they call, “The mandatory tour of lights”. They pile up in one car and go see the local Christmas lights, whether they want to or not. Sounds fun, right? I would go, but there’s no room in the inn, I mean vehicle for one more. Last year, for our church small group Christmas party, I surprised our group by getting the church van and doing a “mandatory tour of lights” around town. It was a blast! I heard about some light displays we just had to go see. Some were well planned out, even having LED video panels with synchronized music you could tune to on your radio station. Others, well, not so much. A random strand of half-working lights on some of your house may or may not constitute a festive light display. Maybe it’s because it was left up all year? At any rate, the randomness and creativity of Christmas lights amuses and even amazes most everyone, except the scrooges.

The star over Bethlehem has to be the greatest light display of all time. It was more than another Christmas light display, it was the original Christmas light display! It marked the arrival of the long awaited Messiah – Jesus! Matthew 2:1-11 tells of how the Magi came to worship Jesus when they saw the star. Matthew 2:2 says, “We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When I see Christmas lights, I think of the star that illuminated the One who is the Light of the World (John 8:12). One day, the radiance of the Son illuminate Heaven without the need of a sun, moon, or stars (Revelation 22:5). The Magi were overjoyed when they saw the star (v. 10) as it “stopped over the place where the child was” (v. 9). They heard about a light display so grand it marked the presence of Jesus the Savior. It reminds me of the old adage, “Wise men still seek Him.” Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Question: Are you seeking out Jesus? What is pointing you to Him? Have you stopped where He is and worshipped Him with joy?

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stephenrharrison

Stephen and his wife Haley have called Arkansas home all of their lives. Stephen has served in several ministry roles over the last 25 years and as a lead pastor for the last 8 years. Stephen attended Williams Baptist College and earned a BA in Biblical Studies from Ouachita Baptist University, an MA, MDiv, and DMin in Christian Leadership and Pastoral Ministries from Liberty University. When not pastoring, Stephen enjoys running, cycling, reading, writing, camping, fishing, and spending time with his family.