Christmas lights in London are never very stunning, yet in January Londoners and the city’s visitors are going to be dazzled.
Huge areas of the city will be transformed with lighted art displays.
An event called Lumiere London is taking place in the middle of January. It’s the second time this phenomenal cultural event has taken place. I would love to attend.
The light displays will transform the iconic streets and buildings. It’s going to be spectacular.
The art will entice people into the city when the restaurants and shops are struggling in the post-Christmas lull.
For Londoners it’s a chance to take a second look at their surroundings and hopefully see or find something new and exciting. It will be an opportunity to see the capital in a new light.
For visitors, it’s an occasion to see Britain’s capital in a special way. The Mayor of London will be pleased to show off the wonderful city to a worldwide audience.
For the rest of us, we will have to make do with displays of Christmas lights this season. Some will be good, but others will disappoint.
Yet, Christmas is a chance to take a second look and reconsider the light in our lives. Not how we can make ourselves shine, but the light of Jesus who promises to brighten our days and our future.
I am the Light of the World, said Jesus about himself.
I have come into the world as a light, he added, if you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.
Often this time of year we review what we have done in the past year to see where we can do better in the year to come.
The light of life isn’t about dazzling other people with what we say or do, so they respond: “wow, look at her.” Although, I have to admit, that would be nice.
Instead, Jesus offers us the light of life so in the year ahead we have:
• Hope when we face the gloom of hopelessness.
• Courage when we are in the shadow of fear.
• Anticipation of a bright future when we dread the looming darkness.
The lights in London will shine their brightest once the evening draws in and it is dark. Jesus, too, shines the brightest in the darkest areas of our lives.
The message of Christmas is: Jesus is the light that changes everything.
Christmas is not just about twinkling lights that transform our homes on dark winter nights, but about the light of Jesus who changes our dark hearts and lights up our lives.
Looking back on the past year, where did you need light in your life?
It is not too late to ask Jesus to transform your world.
As a New Year begins, ask Jesus to come into your life so you can experience the year in a new light.
Lord Jesus, only you can shine light into the dark areas of my life. I ask you to come in and brighten my life this Christmas and in the year ahead. Amen.
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