Love's Light

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16

We had gone to see a great holiday movie called The Christmas Candle, based on the novel by Max Lucado. It is a movie of hope and inspiration, a movie that shows what kind of miracles happen when we let our light shine. 

The movie is set in an English village where every 25 years an angel appears at the candle maker’s shop and blesses one candle. The candle is then given to someone who has been identified as having a great need with the instruction to light it and pray. Into this village tradition walks the new reverend, who is struggling with a faith crisis of his own. 

A mishap the night the angel appears to bless the candle throws a wrench into the whole thing. The new reverend, who does not believe in the miracles of the candle, asks to see the requests that have been made and starts to meet the stated needs himself. The loss of the Christmas candle results in 29 families being given a candle with the instruction to light it and pray. The reverend uses this week’s passage for one of his advent messages, encouraging his congregation to show their light to one another. The miracles start happening, prayer is increased and neighbors are helping neighbors - hearts are changing, glowing with love’s light. 

The real Christmas candle finds its way into the reverend’s hands and provides the supernatural miracle needed to completely restore his faith. In the end the village that had been fading under the weight of hopelessness is restored by love’s light.

Jesus is the light of the world; He came to show us how to love God and one another. He came to pay the price of forgiveness and restoration. He left His light burning in the hearts of each one who believe, so that we can share it with the world around us.

For God so loved, that He sent His Son, the light of the world into the world to push back the darkness with love’s light. So let love’s light shine through your life, you can be the miracle someone needs.

A Prayer
Father, thank you for the light of your love. Help us to be aware of the darkness and hopelessness that surrounds us, so that we can let love’s light show and may that light shine brightly. Thank you for the miracles you work through your people. In the name of Jesus who is the light of the world, Amen.