Be the Light

In 8th grade, my Latin teacher gave me a very special gift, one that I still cherish and love. At the end of the year, she gave me a framed, hand-made card. On it was typed (with her typewriter!) "In luce Tua, lucem videmus," meaning, "In your light, we see light."

My teacher was a young college student who was lovely, quiet, and incredibly intelligent. I was so honored to have received such kind and complementary words from her. Ever since, I have endeavored to live by her encouragement. Only this week did I realize the quotation was Biblical.

Working through an Advent devotional, I happened across Psalm 36, "How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings... For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light" (v. 7, 9).

I stopped short. How had I never known? Of course the passage is Biblical... it's too beautiful not to be! Almost five years later, I was met again with the imagery of light, and what time could be more fitting?

The Advent season is a time of waiting; waiting for "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the World." Jesus is the light of the world, those who follow Him will dwell in His light, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). I was suddenly reminded, and in a deeply personal way, the reason for the season.

Each Winter, the world goes dark early in the evening, the weather becomes cold and gray. We string up Christmas lights and set out candles in an attempt to drive away the darkness with holiday cheer, but there's a much more important meaning beneath the surface.

Jesus' light drives out all darkness. His powerful perfection has defeated the devil, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it" (John 1:5). The culmination of attempting to be an image of Christ, the Advent season, and light imagery have come together for me in this: there is no brighter, warmer, more inviting light than that of Christ. Dwell in His presence, He is the greatest gift of all. The Christmas season is not about lighted trees or wrapped presents, it is about the coming of Christ, and what a sweet, sweet gift that is.

Years ago, I was told that I shared a light with others, yet this is not a gift I can pass on alone. The Lord lives in those who loves Him, His grace shines through those who follow Him. Each of us has the blessed ability to be a vessel for his grace and truth and love. Be the light in someone's life. Shine Christ's love into your own. Reflect His glory. He is a gift that is never-ending, never-failing, and meant for everyone. Share the light, be the light, live in the light.

I pray that this truth might be a "lamp to your feet and a light to your path" (Psalm 119:105) in the way that a Latin teacher's gift was, and is, to me (and Jesus' love is to all of us).

Peace, joy, light, and love this Christmas season,

Sophia