The Light Of The World

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them." [Luke 2:8-20 KJV] "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." [Isaiah 9:6 KJV] As the shepherds kept watch by night during the silent hours, suddenly the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were very afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." At these words, the shepherds' minds were filled with the light of God's glory. As the angels disappeared and the glorious light of heaven faded away, once again the night fell upon the hills of Bethlehem. But how could the brightness of this light and the words they heard ever fade from the memory of the shepherds? Prior to Jesus' earthly arrival as a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, all that preceded Him was the prophecy of the Scripture that foretold of His coming. Simeon and Anna knew of His coming and confirmed His arrival. As the child grew into manhood, His person was attested by miracles confirming what the Scripture said would be. Yet with all that the Scripture foretold of His person and His mission, Jerusalem was not prepared to welcome her Redeemer with open arms of faith and acceptance. Even though the nation of Israel was preserved as a witness that Christ was to be born of the Seed of Abraham and of the house of David, yet they had little recognition of His person when He came among them. Jesus was more than just a babe as He lay in a manager wrapped in swaddling clothes. He was delivered by His mother but one day she would be delivered by Him. He was more than a child when He astounded the doctors of the law with His knowledge and wisdom. He was more than a man as He walked the shores of Galilee. He was more than a man when He taught the multitudes with authority as He healed the sick, raised the dead and set the captive free. He was more than a man when He walked alone up the hill of Calvary to shed His own sinless blood for you and me. He is "The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" and the One who holds tomorrow in His hand. He is the "King of kings, and the Lord of lords." He is Christ the Lord; the Word made flesh; the Great I AM. Heaven and earth are no wider apart today than when the shepherds heard the announcement of the Savior's arrival. Mankind is still as much the object of heaven's focus as it has ever been. The true story of Bethlehem is an ever flowing river of light and truth, its depth and riches both testify of the love and mercy of God and are extended to all who will call upon the name of Jesus. When Jesus was born, men may not have realized what was about to unfold but heaven was filled with rejoicing and good tidings. The whole world was about to be illuminated by the light of His life. For the Scripture declares, "Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous." [Psalms 112:4 KJV] "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." [Isaiah 9:2 KJV] "In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." [John 1:4-5 KJV] "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." [John 8:10 KJV] To all who seek the light of truth and will receive it with gladness, the bright rays of light and truth extending from heaven will shine in your heart.