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Matthew 4:16 – The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned. (ESV)
We have a lovely Christmas tree. It usually comes down from the loft in December, and out from the various boxes come all the branches and paraphernalia that are stored away for the rest of the year.
This year, my children were impatient for the Christmas tree to go up. So, at the last weekend of November — a week early — it was with delight that I erected the tree and put on various sets of bright lights. The children loved putting on the all the baubles, tinsel, and decorations.
It meant moving the furniture about and losing a chair upstairs to make room for the ceiling-high, four-foot-six-inch-wide tree in our living room. Caroline then came and made it pretty and safe for the small hands of my grandchildren.
Caroline said that the tree came alive when the lights were turned on. Similarly, without Jesus, there is no light in us until we are brought from death to life by the act of confession, faith in Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit — the same now as it was 2000 years ago.
Amongst the branches are cones, berries, and bundles of real cinnamon bark curls. When it is put up, even after six years, the fragrance from the cinnamon fills the room. It reminded me of how Mary Magdalene put perfume on Jesus' feet, and its fragrance filled the room — a corporeal token of Jesus' status and mission here on earth that all started with a light over Bethlehem.
Whether it is at bedtime or mealtime, we invoke the name of Jesus to bring us peace, blessing, provision, and comfort. Hopefully the fragrance of Jesus' light permeates our life, most of the time (at least when we remember, anyway!)
Let us reorganize some of the clutter of life and Christmas, to allow in the fragrance and light of Jesus to fill our beings and the places where we find ourselves today.
Prayer: Lord, we remember that You were born to take captivity captive, to set the enslaved free, to bring sight to the blind, and to overcome darkness by Your presence. So we ask for the fragrance of Jesus' light, love, and peace to permeate the places of darkness, fear, and conflict in our lives, and then the world where we are today, in Jesus' name. Amen.
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Beautiful word picture. Thanks for sharing.
Inspiring as always Rod. Have a very Merry Christmas.
Awesome. May your holidays be blessed and into 2016.
Thanks for blessing me with your reflection.
(Ghana)
This is a very interesting take on cinnamon but I see your point.
Well done.
Thank you, Rod. I believe this devotional to be one of your most effective. As we assemble our tree this week, we will remember your words.
Great thought for today Rod,
God’s blessings be continually upon you, and your family.
Happy to hear the joyous spirit in your home!! And the cinnamon is a great idea! May Jesus shine in all your hearts this Christmas season!!
Thank you Rod for sharing this Christmas Season devotional with us. May the Lord bless your celebrations with His loving Presence in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Enjoyed and was touched by your message today! Thank you! Enjoy a wonder filled Christmas!
(Saskatchewan, Canada)
(SK)
Thank you.
Lovely picture.
Happy Christmas to you and yours, Rod.
Blessings.
Rod, how uplifting to read with all the turmoil going on in the world.
Good to hear from you and I’m sure that little girl you use to make reference to, is all grown up by now.
Keep writing.
Love and blessings to you and your family.
Dear Roderick,
Thanks for the good words for Christmas.
I’m especially with you in your prayer.
May our God of all glory continue to enlighten your days, and the days of those you care for every year.
So many memories! What a wonderful Devotional, written just for me! In years long gone, we went to a tree farm, and after our daughters spent thirty minutes finding the perfect tree, we cut it down, brought it home, and erected it in a pail of wet sand. Soon the fragrance of evergreen filled the room as we added the decades old decorations, many of which we handmade. That included about one hundred lights. It was beautiful! We then sat around and chatted about everything Christmas meant to us. Strangely, the children rarely referred to the commercial aspects of the Season! It was wonderful!
Thank you so very much for evoking so many memories! May you and all those whom you love have a truly Blessed and Peace filled Christmas this year.
(Ontario, Canada)
Hi Rod, Good words well spoken,
Blessings.
Hi Rod,
It is indeed time to reorganize the clutter of our lives. Here there is such an emphasis on the commercial aspect of Christmas that people forget the reason for the season.