My favourite Christmas card this year is from Dayspring Cards because it focuses on all that really matters in the celebration of Christmas.  The very apt and succinct phrase on the cover plainly declares:

“Simply Jesus”

And inside, these words:

“May Jesus simply be all you desire and all you seek.  Merry Christmas as you celebrate His birth.”

Sadly these simply proclamations, so precious to the Christian community, seem lost on the world of commercialism with its focus on gifts and lights and decorated trees and Santa Claus.

How would someone who had never heard of Jesus, possibly understand when they looked around them at this time of the year? How would you possibly explain the real Christmas to them?  Where might you start?

 Well there is a theme that the Christian story and the secular festivities of Christmas have in common and that is the theme of “light”.  The wonderful theme so obvious in our homes and suburbs, that originates in the book of Genesis and continues when God spoke to Isaiah of the prophesy:

 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9.2)

At Christmas we celebrate the coming of this light into the world just as it was prophesied by Isaiah.  As John writes,

 “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1.4-5)

The message for those captivated by the secular Christmas and by the dazzling coloured lights that light up the faces of children and adults alike, is that the baby whose birth we celebrate came to bring light to us all, a shining light that will last well beyond the tinsel and decorations of the festival which only offers short term happiness, pleasure and for many even sadness and regret.

But this prophesied light is meant to shine in all of us, and at Christmas it burns brighter.  As children of that light so may our lives shine as Jesus himself reminds us:

 “You are the light of the world. A town built 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5.14-16)

As you once more celebrate Christmas, may all of the twinkling lights remind you that Christmas is the celebration of the light that has come into the world.  And may Jesus simply be all you desire and all you seek.  Merry Christmas as you celebrate His birth.

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Bishop Len Eacott is the Anglican Bishop to the Australian Defence Force. He resides in Canberra, with his wife Sandy.

Prior to his appointment as Bishop, Len was the Principal Chaplain Army.

Star of Bethlehem Nativity Scene (c) by Swiv and is used by the terms and conditions stated on the flickr site.