The Welcome Light
During the Christmas season as a child, I remember a house that had so many lights that you could literally see the glow from a mile away! Out in the lawn, there were animated light displays showing a reindeer jumping or a snowman waving. Finally the owners decided that it was just too much work every year and donated their massive collection to the city of Bristow.
If you’ll look at Matthew chapter 2, you’ll find that the first Christmas light display was put on by God Himself. “…Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2
The light from this star would mark the birthplace of the Light of The World. It was also God’s welcome light to the world. Have you ever seen welcome lights? Some of you may already be nodding your head, while the rest of you are probably scratching your head.
When we first began to minister in the northern states, we saw this very unfamiliar sight. In many of the homes, we noticed candles glowing in the windows (the modern electric kind) even in the middle of July. We were confused by this tradition until we asked the locals. “Oh, those are welcome lights!” they responded. They explained that welcome lights have a long tradition, dating back to colonial times. A candle was often placed in the window when a member of the family was away. A candle was also placed in the window as a sign of good news or as a beacon to weary travelers. Candles also represented friendship and were seen as a sign of welcome to others.
When God placed the star in Heaven’s window, it was a sign of good news and it was also a beacon to weary travelers. Just as a weary traveler could find rest by the light of a candle, God’s invitation is, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
You may wonder why the welcome light is no longer on display in the sky. We find the answer in Matthew 5:14-16. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid….Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
My friend, you are the welcome light! You are the one that points the world to God’s only begotten Son. You are the one who proclaims the good news of Jesus to a weary soul. So let’s take inventory of ourselves. What does the world see when they look into the window of our heart? Do they see the welcome light burning or do they see a smoking candle? Have we lost that burning desire to see dying souls rescued?
As we see the world getting darker, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by it all. The media keeps churning out more dark gloomy stories about our nation and it’s downward spiral. But instead of looking at the darkness, let’s get busy lighting candles! And the best place to start is to be that welcome light! All of the darkness in the universe cannot extinguish the light of one candle.
Christmas was and is about hope. So as we reflect on the star of Bethlehem and the welcome light that it was, let’s make sure that we keep the welcome light burning inside of us. Merry Christmas Everyone!!