The Light Of The World

The Light of the World

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:4-5

History tells us that five hundred years ago Martin Luther, a leader of the Protestant Reformation, began the custom of decorating Christmas trees. While walking through the dark woods one night near Christmas Eve, Luther gazed at a large evergreen tree illuminated by starlight. He was struck by the beautiful sight, which reminded him of the night the angels appeared to the shepherds in Bethlehem and announced the birth of the Christ child. Luther cut down a small pine tree and brought it home. There he decorated the tree with lit candles, telling his wife and children they represented Christ as the Light of the World.

From that small beginning, the custom of decorating pine trees quickly spread throughout Europe and later to America. People added small candies, cookies, and paper and glass ornaments to the lights on the tree. Whether you and your family go out and cut your tree as Luther did (perhaps not in the forest but at a tree farm), buy one at a local lot in your city, or pull an artificial one down from the attic, as you trim your Christmas tree this year with lights and hang ornaments you’ve collected, may it be more than just a decoration in the living room. May it shine forth as a symbol of God’s light and love in a world that is still desperate for salvation and hope, and may you think about Christ as the One who came into the world to bring God’s light into the world’s darkness. —CHERI

Thank you, Father, for the incomparable gift of your Son and for the physical reminders you give us through a simple, decorated evergreen tree that our focus is to be Christ, the Light of the World.

And the light shone even brighter. Will you come and see it? The light is still there although the man, his wife, and the Child are gone. I think the light will shine forever. —SIDNEY FIELDS (1898–1975), COMEDY ACTOR AND WRITER