Listen

Arise! Shine! Your light has come; the Lord’s glory has shone upon you. Though darkness covers the earth and gloom the nations, the Lord will shine upon you; God’s glory will appear over you. Nations will come to your light and kings to your dawning radiance.

Lift up your eyes and look all around: they are all gathered; they have come to you. Your sons will come from far away, and your daughters on caregivers’ hips. Then you will see and be radiant; your heart will tremble and open wide, because the sea’s abundance will be turned over to you; the nations’ wealth will come to you. Countless camels will cover your land, young camels from Midian and Ephah. They will all come from Sheba, carrying gold and incense, proclaiming the Lord’s praises.

Isaiah 60:1-6

Think

Do you remember the song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas”? It’s more than just a cheesy Christmas song, it’s telling us the truth… there are actually twelve days of Christmas in the church calendar. The season of Christmas is December 25 to January 5. That means, today is the twelfth and last day of Christmas! It’s important to remember the story of Jesus doesn’t end at his birth… it’s just getting started! The light enters the world, but then it spreads to others and shines brighter and brighter each day.

That reminds me of our candlelight services on Christmas Eve. We don’t just light the Christ candle. We let Christ’s light ignite our candles too. One by one, the sanctuary gets brighter. Then we pray that Christ’s light always burns within us.

Isaiah has similar words. As we let our light shine, nations and kings see our light, sons and daughters will come… and even… camels! God’s light will just keep getting brighter.

So on this twelfth day, Merry Christmas! Keep letting your light shine bright for all the world to see!

Jeremy Wilhelmi

Pray

Holy God, may the light of Christ shine deep within me. Help me keep Christ’s light shining not just one day, or twelve days, but every day. Amen.

Go

O star of wonder, star of night, / Star with royal beauty bright. / Westward leading, still proceeding, / Guide us to thy perfect light.

from “We Three Kings” by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. (1857)