On top of the dresser across the room from the foot of my bed sits this ceramic Nativity set. My grandmother made it for us as a Christmas gift when we were newlyweds. It is a treasured possession.

This past Saturday too cold for my customary early morning long run outdoors, I decided to sleep in. About 7:00am my dear bride decided that was enough sleep. She did not turn on the overhead light, however. She switched on the solitary, little bulb within the Nativity.

It shown boldly into the darkened room.

"Oh, that's a bright light," she said as she left me laying there to ponder.

A bright light in a dark room.

A stand-in star illuminating a minature ceramic newborn.

My mind tumbled from Scripture to Scripture...

Just days after his birth taken to the Temple to fulfill the Law, elderly Simeon praises God with infant Jesus in his arms in Luke 2:30-32,

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.

At the beginning of his preaching ministry, Matthew 4:16 records Jesus' fulfillment on Isaiah 9:1-2,

the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

Indeed, the Prologue to the Gospel of John announces of Jesus in 1:4-5 & 9,

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 true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.

Jesus is the light of the world.

A bright light.

Let him shine.