I love Christmas lights and seeing the creativity people have in decorating their homes and businesses. This year I am participating in the “Liberty Light Show”. This drive-in Christmas celebration put on by Pleasant Valley Baptist Church is a fun and bright celebration that Jesus has come to be the Light of World. [Shameless plug: it is this Fri. Sat. Sun. with five – 15 minute shows each night beginning at 6 pm]. The wonder of the incarnation is that God has entered into our darkness and illuminated the world with the hope of the gospel. John tells us in his first letter that God is light (1:5). When we push God out of our life we live in darkness. As Paul writes in Romans 1:21 we all are guilty of having foolish minds and hearts that are darkened. It is true that in nature when animals live in darkness, they literally become blind. The same is true spiritually. Without the true light we are spiritual blind groping about hopelessly lost. The joy of Christmas is that light has entered into our world to shine forth hope, love, peace and joy. Jesus said in John 12:46, “I have come as light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness.” In John’s prologue he proclaims, In him was life, in that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness yet the darkness did not overcome it (1:4-5). My prayer is that you not only enjoy the lights of Christmas, but that you will rejoice in knowing the Light of Christmas. – Dr. Gary Mathes