Originally posted on 12/17/14 by atimetoshare.me by Kathy Boecher

The other night we went out into the darkness of the country for a Christmas party and was reminded of just how dark the night can be.  There was also a blanket of fog covering the landscape and at times it was hard to get our bearings.  The lack of light can leave us helpless and sometimes lost.

On a night in Bethlehem, so many years ago, the countryside was dark.  The only lights came from the sky.  Lonely shepherds rested their heads upon the soft grass, while animals gently snuggled together to keep warm.  Suddenly a star appeared that outshone any other in the sky.  Some call it a super nova which tends to light the sky like the sun, but I imagine this star had enough light to illuminate the entire world. It was the light intended to lead the shepherds to Jesus – a light to send the message to the astrologers in the east – a light to spread the great news of the Son of God’s arrival to the entire globe.

Living in the Midwest, we are exposed to long winters with a lack of sunlight.  When we go through many days without it, we become depressed, moody, downright cranky.  Many of us suffer from a lack of Vitamin D.  We need light to survive.

Jesus is the light of the world.  He is the one who gives meaning to our lives.  Through Him we receive forgiveness from the darkness of sin and we are brought to the light of eternal life with Him.

John 8:12  “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.”