The Wreath of Love.
The completed circle.
The Christmas Story.
The Circle of Light.,
May it hang in our hearts.
May it surround our life.
May it grace our home at Christmas and always.
The Beginning
In the beginning…the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep…and God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw the light that it was good, and God divided the light from the darkness.(Gen.1:1-4)
1. Jesus left Heaven – The Light of God to shine into my darkness
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men, and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross: therefore God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him the name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow…and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Phil.2:5-11)
2. Jesus came to earth – The Light of Life
Then spoke Jesus to them again saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’ (John 8:12) There was a man sent from God whose name was John. This man came for a witness to bear witness of the Light, that all through Him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man who comes into the world. (John 1:6-9)
3. Jesus lived among men – The Light of Truth
Jesus said unto them, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father but by me.’ (John 14:6)That was the true Light which lights every man that comes into the world. (John 1:6-9)
4. Jesus died on the Cross for our sin – The Light of Love
This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.(1 John 1:5-7)
5. Jesus arose from the grave – The Light of Victory over sin and death
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. (1 Cor. 15:3-4) And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.’ (Matt. 28:2-6)
6. Jesus ascended to Heaven – The Light of Prophecy fulfilled
Arise, shine; for your light comes come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people, but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. (Isa. 60:1-2) And the city had no need of the sun, or of the moon to shine in it; for the glory of God illuminated it, and the Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in the light…(Rev. 21:23-24)
7. Jesus will come again and receive me unto Himself – The Everlasting Light
And there shall be no light there. They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. (Rev. 22:5)
The Wreath of Love – Our Christmas Light
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shine. (Matt. 5:16)
No greater love. No greater light. No greater gift. Jesus is Christmas. Jesus is love. Jesus is the Light. Jesus is the greatest gift of all. May He live in our hearts day by day and hour by hour and may the Light of His presence shine forth through us that others who walk in darkness will have the Light shined on their pathway.
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EAST OF BETHLEHEM: The fragrance of Christmas and other holidays, Chapter 4. C. Yvonne Karl, (c) 2003, Brentwood Press.
First published in The Alabaster Box, December 1995. Design by Yvonne. Artwork by Bob Herriman.
Musings by Yvonne. Selah! 