If you take notice of the Christmas tree decorations, you will see that at the top of every Christmas tree shines a light so bright (that being, the “star” light). The light appears to illuminate all of the smaller lights resting on the branches below. However, upon closer examination of the smaller lights reveals that they are interconnected by the same source (the wire); while the bright “star” light at the top of the tree has its own source. And one thing for sure, the smaller lights will never outshine the “star” light sitting at the top of the tree.
In many ways that “star” light represents Jesus Christ to the church. Notice the following verses concerning Christ and His church.
John 8:12,
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
John 9:5,
“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
Colossians 1:18-20,
“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”
We who are members of one of the Lord’s New Testament churches are just like those smaller lights – interconnected through the source Jesus Christ, His Spirit, and His Word (this is our “wire”). We are unified through His truth and His grace. Christ speaks to His church in the following manner.
Matthew 5:14-16,
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
But let us be reminded here, we as one of the Lord’s churches produce no light from within ourselves; the light must come from the source Jesus Christ.
Christ also states the following in John 15:1-5,
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
As members of one of the Lord’s New Testament churches, we are to take our Christ given light unto this darkened world.
Philippians 2:15 states,
“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”
Note also the following supporting Scriptures.
Mark 4:21,
“And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?”
Luke 8:16,
“No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.”
Luke 11:33,
“No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.”
John 15:8,
“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
1 Peter 2:12,
“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
As you reflect upon the decorated Christmas tree, I pray that you do so by first looking at the bright light that sits upon the top of the tree (that glorious bright “star”), and examine all those lights that sit upon the branches below. For not only are the smaller lights interconnect through the wire, they are also supported by the branches below. And that is exactly how the Lord takes care of His church; He provides the source of light and His hands (the “branches”) hold us up. Praise the Lord that He is that shining bright “star” above.
