Matthew 5:16 says: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Christmas is approaching fast and stores are filled with decorations and gifts for all ages. Christmas trees, real and fake, dazzle us with lights and baubles. Let’s face it; it gives us all a feeling of excitement that Christmas is just around the corner.

Celebrations of the birth of Christ may vary from family to family, from church to church, and from tradition to tradition. In reality, it doesn’t matter how we celebrate as long as the true message of Christmas is our main focus.

As a child, my favourite Christmas decoration was the Christmas Star. We placed the star on the top of our tree year after year. One Christmas, we visited cousins who used a fairy. A star was nowhere to be seen. As a nine-year-old at that time, I could not comprehend how a fairy could replace the precious tree-topper. Later in life when I had my own family the idea of a fairy tree-topper never entered my mind. Our own children were brought up knowing the true meaning of Christmas: The birth of Jesus. The brightness of that Christmas star reflected the announcement of royalty’s birth, Jesus—the light of the world and guided the shepherds and the wise men to Jesus.

In the same way, our hearts need to reflect the love of Jesus who resides in us. Our lives need to reveal the light that burns just like the Christmas Star. We can let our light so shine before men—and our families who don’t always see eye-to-eye on what Christmas is about. Live as Jesus would live. Speak as Jesus would speak; with love in our hearts that shines like the Christmas Star that can lead others to Jesus.

This Christmas, let’s show love and grace to those who see things differently from us.  Let your light shine so we glorify your Father, who is in heaven.

Father, let our light shine from within that we may lead others to Jesus, and let the true message of Christmas be seen by your love within us. Amen

© Chrissy Siggee

Scripture Verses used are from the New International version of the Bible.

Archived in: 🦋 Christian Reads