The light was almost blinding. Not like the super bright LED headlights that had been shining in my eyes for the last hundred miles or so. No. This brilliant light simply shone in the profound darkness of the Minnesota plains we were driving through.
For a moment, we could see nothing else but the tree, bare of any leaves, but budding forth with the bright light of thousands of bulbs wrapped around every single limb, from the ground to the sky. It stood on a slight knoll with long wild grass growing beneath it. We saw no house lights—no business sign—and no indication whatsoever of a power source or reason for the tree being there.
It just shone in the darkness.
I’ve thought about it for several days now—this lighted tree. The Lovely Lady and I took a trip from our home in Arkansas up to the big city of Minneapolis last week to listen to the beautiful music of the young voices in the St Olaf choirs.
Brighter lights were shining in the city. They lit up buildings. Some told us when to stop and when to go. Others shouted out messages to attract business.
They had purpose. They incited action.
The tree on the knoll by the highway just screamed, “Look at me!”
We looked and passed on, unchanged.
We’re entering the time of year when we celebrate the coming of the Light, the Son of God. He came to shine that light into the heart of every person who would recognize it.
“The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.“ (John 1:9, NLT)
He came with a purpose. He came to draw all men to His Father.
“But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.“ (John 1:12, NLT)
And, then He gave us the same purpose.
“You are the light of the world. . .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, NIV)
It is a season of lights. The little town we live in was having its annual Christmas parade the same weekend we were up north, the floats and vehicles all covered with lights. There were lights flung across the street corners and silhouetting the downtown buildings.
There is joy in light.
Our Creator made it so. Our hearts are lifted at the coming of dawn—at the brightness of light in a dark room—at the warmth of candlelight—even at the brilliant displays of lights on houses and trees in this season.
But the emotion fades. And, darkness returns to all of them eventually.
Our world today is full of a different kind of light—stars, we call them. They shine brilliantly, solely to draw our eyes toward themselves—to notice and revere them. Never before have there been so many crying out for us to look and be dazzled as there are right now.
But, they too fade. And, darkness reigns still.
The Light who came for us never fades—never dims. He turns our hearts to the Father of Lights.
Surely the light kindled in our hearts should do the same for those around us—for those who have never truly experienced light.
It won’t be some bulb-adorned tree growing on a grass-covered knoll along the way that is passed by in the night, leaving the traveler unchanged.
With purpose this Light shines, effecting everlasting change, pointing the way to that eternal day that can never be swallowed up in night.
It’s our time to shine.
“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, NIV)
“Jesus bids us shine with a clear pure light,
like a little candle burning in the night;
in this world of darkness we must shine –
you in your small corner, and I in mine.”
(Jesus Bids Us Shine, song by Susan Warner)
© Paul Phillips. He’s Taken Leave. 2023. All Rights Reserved.