The news sickens me. Every day. It makes no difference whether I watch or read of the latest happenings. It all has the same effect.

These days are disheartening.

Disheartening, according to the dictionary, is to “to depress the hope, courage, or spirits of“. Much of what is happening can lessen or weaken my hope and courage. It can also increase my anxiety level as I get concerned for this world and the days ahead which my grandchildren will live.

Then I open my Bible to read the words in red, the very words spoken by Jesus Himself:

“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12, NLT)

On the opposite page in my Bible, there is a diagram of the Temple. I sit and imagine what it would have been like to witness the lighting of the golden lamps on the first night of Festival. The people would have been reminded of how God had led them through the wilderness by a pillar of fire to give light during the night. They would remember His faithfulness and His Presence with them, all forty years of their wandering.

And Jesus says to us today, “I am the light of the world.“

He is our Luminary. He not only gives light and is characterized by light – He is The Light!

Much the way The Temple was illuminated by the candles, He lights our lives, these broken temples in which He now resides:

“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19, NLT)

This is a precious promise both for these days we are living and for this Christmas season. Jesus is the only One to bring us hope and courage. He is the only One who will lift our spirits. He will bring His peace into our hearts in these days of unsettling news.

Jesus proclaims to His own that He is the Light. We do not walk in darkness because we have the Light of Life within us.

Jesus – The Light of the World.
The Light that dispels the darkness.
The Light that leads to life.

Jesus – our Luminary.

Today I am joining … #ChasingCommunity and Heart Encouragement Thursday and Tune In Thursday .