Shine Out Jesus’ Love 3rd Friday in Advent Read: Luke 8:16-18 “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.” Luke 8:16 (NIV-UK)

I have heard many stories of what people did during the lockdowns of COVID-19. One thing that my husband and I had always wanted to do was sort out family photos. Not just photos of our children, but photos of our ancestors. I wanted our children to know who their grandparents, great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents were and where they came from. We set about sorting and then labelling and naming the pictures and finally we put them in an order on the wall in picture frames, for not just our children to see, but anyone who came to visit.

We now have our own ‘Rogue’s Gallery’ of our ancestry down our passage walls. Having the pictures in boxes did nothing to show our family history but having them in frames on the walls showed to all our pride and interest in our family. Jesus, in Luke 8:16 18, was teaching His disciples. As usual, He used parables and illustrations to help. The disciples were wandering with Jesus, hearing His teachings, listening to His knowledge and watching all He did. Jesus now wanted them not to store this knowledge in boxes under the bed or in clay jars, but to openly share what they had learned from the Son of God. In verse 17, we learn that these words of Jesus, through the disciples, will shine out brightly to the whole world.

So, they are to listen carefully and learn as much as they can while Jesus is still with them to be able to share accurately to those for whom they were to minister. In attending church, Bible studies, fellowship groups and anywhere else where God’s Word is taught and preached, we learn with ears to hear Jesus’ love for all. As disciples then we are to shine out brightly with this knowledge and share it wherever possible.

We are not to hide it in boxes or under beds or on the bookshelf but display it proudly for all to see and hear what Jesus and His love means to us. Shine your love for Jesus brightly and display it proudly. Prayer: Jesus, through your Bible and your words I learn what it is you have in store for me. Help me to not keep this Good News to myself but to put it on a stand for all to see. Amen

Illumination Read: 3rd Thursday in Advent Matthew 5:14-16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NIV-UK)

Travelling overseas by plane requires a lot of preparation. But once on the plane we place ourselves in the hands of the pilot and stewards. They share all the details of safety before the plane takes off – seat belt, life jacket, brace position and then if all the lights go out there will be small lights that illuminate the aisle to direct us in case of an emergency. These little lights are very important for they light the way to the exits. Without them in an emergency, we would all be in the darkness and confused as to which way to go. At Christmas the star guided the way for the shepherds and wise men to find the Christ child in the manger. When Jesus was baptised by John, a light came down from heaven declaring that Jesus was God’s Son.

When Jesus was taken into heaven at ascension, His face became as radiant as the sun. Jesus is the light that we need to see God. We understand the Bible through the coming of Jesus and His life on earth. Without Jesus’ coming as our Saviour, I am not sure that many would find the Bible hopeful and full of forgiveness and grace. We would all still be living in darkness and under the law, still waiting and hoping for God to save us and send the promised Messiah. As Jesus’ love works in our lives we see how He lights our way, and His love illuminates our entire being.

As Jesus said in Matthew 5:14a – “You are the light of the world.” With the love of Jesus in us we can’t help but shine out this love to all those around us. We are the ones to point others to Jesus and help them open their eyes to see God’s grace and all that makes a follower of Christ different. On a plane we have the little lights to guide us to safety, in Jesus we have the Saviour, the Light of the World to guide us to our eternal home. Be the guiding lights to point others to Christ. Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to shine my light out far and wide so that others may be drawn to the light. Thank you for coming as my Saviour to bring me peace and your love. Amen

King of Day and Night 3rd Wednesday in Advent Read: Zechariah 14:6-9 “It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime – a day known to the Lord. When evening comes, there will be light.” Zechariah 14:7 (NIV)

I have always been fascinated by the countries close to the North Pole (Arctic Circle). Finland and Greenland are countries where the amount of sunlight varies greatly depending on the time of the year. In northern Finland they experience the phenomenon of the Midnight Sun, where the sun doesn’t set for months. The sun just circles around the sky all day and night. In winter, this region experiences polar nights with very little or no sunlight. For us in Australia, this is all very foreign. We have daylight saving in summer, but nothing compared to this. What is the passage in Zechariah talking about then?

Zechariah was a prophet and a priest around 520 BCE. He describes a very unique day, some even think it refers to the end times, which has both light and darkness leading to the establishment of God’s Kingdom. It is a time when God’s power and presence is evident, even though the natural order of things is confused. But mostly it shows that God has the sovereign power over all things, including the day and the night. If God can rule over the day and the night and have sovereign power over all things, wouldn’t it be natural for God to rule as a King over the world?

But no, God chose to be a loving God ruling with grace and forgiveness. He sent His Son to earth at Christmas to bring peace to the earth. He didn’t want to come with horns and fanfare, changing the orbit of the earth, or making time stand still. Rather He had the Son of God, the light of the world, the Messiah, the Saviour, come in quietness and humility to a young couple. This is the God I want in my life.

A God who is an all-powerful Sovereign ruler, but chooses to rule with grace, love and peace. He brought light to the world in a little baby. My God is King of the World but knows my name! Prayer: Mighty God. You are ruler of the world, yet you care for me. You know my name and hear my prayers. Thank you for being a God that I can talk to and for bringing your Son to be my Saviour. Amen.