It's Time to Shine Your Light

Christmas is more than just exchanging gifts and following traditions. It's about discovering the light that God has placed within you and learning to shine it brightly in a world that desperately needs hope. As we approach Christmas, we're reminded that too many people are chasing moments to fill their life instead of receiving life to fill all their moments.

What Does It Mean to Be Welcome Home?

Throughout this Christmas season, we've explored the concept of "welcome home" - not as a physical location, but as a spiritual reality. Home isn't about real estate or man-made buildings. True home is found in God's family and His kingdom, where we discover safety, belonging, and refuge.

The prophet Isaiah declared 700 years before Jesus' birth: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. And the government shall be upon his shoulders. And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

This prophecy points to Jesus as our pathway home - not to a place, but to a relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Why Do So Many Christmas Celebrations Feel Empty?

Consider the popular song "The 12 Days of Christmas." Despite all the gifts mentioned - drummers drumming, pipers piping, lords leaping - there's not a single light mentioned in the entire song. Perhaps that's why it feels so irritating to many people.

This reflects a deeper problem with how many people celebrate Christmas. Gifts are given, foods prepared, cards sent, traditions respected, carols sung, parties hosted, and decorations carefully arranged. But for too many people, there's no power. January 1st arrives, and they wake up feeling empty, wondering "now what?"

The Problem with Temporary Treasures

Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21). When we place our hearts in temporary treasures - material possessions, achievements, or even relationships - we set ourselves up for disappointment. These treasures can be lost, stolen, or simply fail to fulfill our deepest longings.

Christmas tends to be especially difficult for those who have experienced repeated disappointments: gifts that didn't live up to expectations, wishes that didn't come true, romantic moments that fell flat. Year after year, these experiences build a narrative that home is a place where treasures disappear.

What Does It Mean That You Are the Light of the World?

Jesus made an incredible declaration in Matthew 5:14-16: "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. So let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble and good deeds, and then recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Light Represents Power and Life

Light is evidence of power, and God is light. When Jesus tells us we are the light of the world, He's not just talking about illumination - He's talking about revelation, generation, and transformation. This light transcends mere brightness and is best described as life, truth, and the way.

John 1:4-5 tells us: "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines on even in the dark." This is light that doesn't fail, even in the darkest circumstances.

How Do You Find Power and Compatibility for Your Design?

Your life has a unique design that needs both power and compatibility. Think about Christmas morning when children open gifts only to discover the batteries are missing or the wrong size. The gift has potential, but without the right power source, it's useless.

Similarly, you might have the right power source but lack compatibility. A gas-powered SUV won't charge at a Tesla charging station, no matter how long you leave it plugged in.

God Provides Both Power and Compatibility

God's presence offers both the power and compatibility you need. If your fingerprint is uniquely yours among billions of people, how much more unique is your spirit, fully made in God's image? Jesus came to give us access and full rights to God's presence - that's the Christmas message.

You're not mass-produced with only a serial number to differentiate you. The light of your life has moral excellence, honor, and glory for the Father in heaven like no one else on earth.

Why Is Hope So Important for Survival?

Scientists conducted an experiment with rats that reveals the power of hope. When a rat was dropped into water in total darkness, it would swim for about three minutes before giving up. However, when the same experiment was conducted with a ray of light shining into the space, the rat would swim for up to 36 hours - more than 700 times longer.

The difference? Hope. Because the rat could see, it had hope.

There are people struggling in complete darkness, hopeless on the sea of life. They need you to shine your light into their darkness. You are light - it's your identity. Ephesians 5:8 says, "For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. So walk as children of light."

Seven Practical Ways to Shine Your Light

1. Smile

Numbers 6:25 says the Lord "makes his face to shine upon you." You were made in His image, so you're called to make your face shine on others with favor, kindness, and grace.

2. Be Thankful

Practice recognizing blessings even in the midst of hardship. Thankfulness is the art of seeing God's goodness in every circumstance.

3. Plug In and Charge Up

You need power, so don't let your spiritual charge go low. Get good at worshiping God wherever you are - at home, driving, working out, or walking in a field. Focus on God's word and spend time in His presence.

4. Forgive

Your light will not shine if you're carrying unforgiveness. It's like hiding your light under a bushel. God has forgiven you, so you have all the power you need to forgive others.

5. Sing

Lift your voice to God in praise. There are spiritual mysteries built into singing that promote God's presence, your health, your mental health, and your attitude. Psalm 100:2 says to "come before his presence with singing."

6. Serve Someone

Follow the golden rule: "Whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them" (Matthew 7:12). Make serving others a daily habit.

7. Put Your Words to Work

Use your words intentionally to show kindness, honor others, express thankfulness, and add value. Write letters, send encouraging texts, make phone calls, or send thoughtful emails. Never use your words to sow pain, lies, or dishonor.

Life Application

This Christmas season, commit to being intentional about shining your light. Choose one of the seven practical ways listed above and implement it daily for the next week. Whether it's starting each day with a smile, expressing gratitude in difficult circumstances, or serving someone in need, make it a deliberate practice.

Remember, it's not natural for your carnal nature to shine light - it takes a decision of faith. Pray this prayer: "God, help me. Teach me and power up my design to honor and glorify You."

Ask yourself these questions:

• Where have I been hiding my light under a bushel instead of letting it shine? 

• What temporary treasures have I been chasing that leave me feeling empty? 

• How can I use my unique design and gifts to bring hope to someone struggling in darkness this week? 
• Am I plugged into the right power source (God's presence) to sustain my light?

Christmas isn't just about celebrating what happened 2,000 years ago - it's about recognizing that you belong in God's family right now. You have full citizenship in heaven and access to all the power and compatibility you need to shine brightly in this world. Welcome home.

~Stephen Marshall