Let Your Light Shine Devotional

Read This: “You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

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Think: Christmas is that special time of year everyone stops and focuses a bit more on giving to others, rather than buying for themselves. Donations to charities, volunteering at a soup kitchen, and baking goodies for the neighbors are just a few ways many of us embrace the spirit of Christmas. And while acts of kindness and giving are wonderful ways to celebrate God’s greatest gift to the world, we need to be careful that it doesn’t become as seasonal as lights on the tree and peppermint candy.

Ultimately, Jesus isn’t just for Christmas. The baby in the manger is part of the miraculous story, but it’s not the whole story. Christmas is celebrated only because Easter came about thirty three years later. That baby grew into a man, lived a sinless life, and loved the world enough to die for everyone else’s sins. Jesus came so we could be reconciled to God; so we could be so full of his goodness and love that we can’t help but let that overflow into other people’s lives all year long.

We live in the abundance of God’s grace and mercy every day. What better way to celebrate the coming of the Savior than to let His light shine through us in the same way. We're not necessarily advocating leaving Christmas decorations up all year, but as we take them down let’s enter a new year committed to being a testimony of who that baby really was and still is.

Ask: How can you keep the spirit of Christmas alive throughout the whole year?

Pray: It’s impossible to be a light to others if we aren’t filled with the Holy Spirit ourselves. Spend time with God, asking how you can deepen your relationship with him and witness to others.