I love to see all the Christmas lights! They brighten the long winter nights and make December feel like magic. There is something deeply comforting about driving through a neighborhood where houses sparkle like a thousand tiny stars. But beyond their cheer, these lights remind us of something greater—“the light of the world.” Jesus said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Long before electricity or LED bulbs, God spoke light into existence. Genesis 1:16–18 tells us, “And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars.” God looked at His handiwork and declared it good. Those celestial lights not only govern our days and nights, they testify to the One who made them—steady, faithful, and shining.
Psalm 89, written by Ethan the Ezrahite, celebrates that same faithfulness. He sings about God’s unbreakable promise to David, declaring that his throne would last as long as the sun and moon endure. Verses 35–37 read, “Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David. His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me. Like the moon, it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies.” The stars themselves seem to wink in agreement each night. Ethan saw the heavens as reminders that what God promises, He performs. Though there is no earthly king in Israel today, there is a heavenly one who reigns. Nathaniel said to Jesus, “You are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel” (John 1:49). And Peter affirmed the same truth when he spoke of Christ’s “eternal kingdom” (2 Peter 1:11). Every sunrise and moonlit night whispers, “The King still reigns.”
Just as the sun, moon, and stars reflect God’s faithfulness, we are called to reflect His light in our world. Jesus turned to His followers and said, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). That is quite an assignment—especially for those of us who occasionally forget where we left our car keys, much less how to light up the world. But Jesus explained how: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). Every twinkling Christmas bulb, every act of kindness, and every word of encouragement can shine like a faithful witness in a dark world. So, this season, when you plug in your lights, remember—you are part of heaven’s grand display. Let those lights shine!