PRISM OF LIGHT

With the darkest day of the year upon us, let’s brighten things up with a reflection on being a prism of light.

In optics, a prism is a transparent, solid body that disperses or reflects light. When white light, which is composed of the colors of a rainbow, passes through a prism, a spectrum of color is produced, spreading more light and beauty.

 

Photo courtesy of fdecomite under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)

 

When I think about the word “light,” the first thing that comes to mind is how Jesus is the Light of the World! How fitting that we celebrate Jesus’ birth around the time of the darkest day of the year, even though we know Jesus wasn’t born in December.

 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. –John 1:1-9 (NIV)

I find this Scripture passage so beautiful and rich in meaning! The Word, Jesus, was present in the very beginning with God and was a part of God. Everything was made through Jesus, and in Him is life, which is light for us all! In this world, light is triumphed over darkness. John the Baptist was sent by God to share the Good News of Jesus, the Light, so that all might believe in Him.

 

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” –Isaiah 60:1-3 (NIV)

These verses were written before God sent Jesus to earth. God is referenced as the light that has come to the people along with the glory of the Lord! Despite the gloom and darkness that were present, the Lord’s light and glory are greater and have the victory. Nations and people are drawn to the light and glory of the Lord they see in us, rather than being in darkness.

 

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth. –Ephesians 5:8-9 (NIV)

In these verses, Paul, an apostle of Jesus, reminds us that we were once darkness, but now that we know Jesus, we are light. He encourages us to continually remain illuminated by the light, which will be reflected through the fruits of living a moral and ethical life.

 

In a few days, we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus. Over 2000 years ago, when God sent Jesus to earth to be born of a woman, through the power of the Holy Spirit, a great light appeared in the sky.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” –Matthew 2:1-2 (NIV)

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. –Matthew 2:9-11 (NIV)

The Magi, who were probably astrologers, noticed a particularly bright light in the sky. They knew it was not an ordinary star, and that it led to the king of the Jews so they wanted to follow it. When they arrived, they were overjoyed to find Jesus. They bowed down and worshiped Him, knowing He was going to do great things.

 

Photo courtesy of Denise Krebs under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)

 

What if we consider the star that led to Jesus, as well as Jesus Himself, as the white light shining through a prism? Jesus is sharing the glory of the Lord as the light passes through the prism. The light produces a glorious rainbow through the prism that touches all of us as we encounter Jesus. We come to know God’s great love for us too.

Now view your life through a prism. Does the light of Jesus’ prism shine through your prism and disperse or reflect a beautiful rainbow into the lives of others? Does the glory of God produce the light in your prism?

 

Photo courtesy of massmatt under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)

 

Be encouraged knowing…

…Jesus is the light.

…God’s glory shines in the darkness.

…we are the light.

 

…the star that leads to Jesus still shines brilliantly.

…Jesus is the glorious rainbow of God.

…your life disperses Jesus’ light and God’s glory to all.

 

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 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)
 

Go, be the prism of light, in your little corner of the world! May the beauty of the rainbow of Jesus’ light radiate from you as you spread more light and beauty into the lives of all you encounter.

 

*Note: I wish you and your families a very blessed and Merry Christmas! Enjoy the holidays. I will take a two week break to spend quality time with my family. Feel free to stop by and read a reflection at anytime! God bless~