Our Daily Bread Christmas: God With UsSample

Christmas Lights 

Each year for several weeks around Christmas, Singapore’s tourist belt, Orchard Road, is transformed into a wonderland of lights and colors. This light-up is designed to attract tourists to spend their money at the many stores along the street during this “golden month of business.” Shoppers come to enjoy the festivities, listen to choirs sing familiar Christmas carols, and watch performers entertain.

The first Christmas “light-up” ever was not created by electrical cables, glitter, and neon lights but by “the radiance of the Lord’s glory” (Luke 2:9). No tourists saw it, just a few simple shepherds out in their field. And it was followed by an unexpected rendition of “Glory to God in the highest heaven” by an angelic choir (v. 14).

The shepherds went to Bethlehem to see if what the angels said was true (v. 15). After they had confirmed it, they could not keep to themselves what they had heard and seen. “After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child” (v. 17).

Many of us are familiar with the Christmas story, but how often do we remember to tell others about the good news of God’s love for them? This Christmas why not share the good news that Christ—“the light of the world”—has come (John 8:12). —C. P. Hia

The gift of God’s love in us can bring light to any darkness.