Senior Devo

3 Reasons to be like a candle

Wouldn’t this event be a little more challenging if we resorted to candlelight?

I mean, think of the cool atmosphere we’d have if that’s what we did.

Maybe we should try it....okay fine, we won’t.

We live in a world of bright lights. Those crazy headlights that blind you, the super bright TVs, LED Christmas lights displays, I mean the list is long.

I want to tell you today that I think the best light to be like is a candle.

3 reasons in five minutes - not a problem.

Reason 1 - Candlelight is the standard for measuring the brightness of light. It is a measurement called lumens per square foot or footcandles. Think about this moment from Luke 2.

Luke 2:8-9 (HCSB)

Luke 2:8–9 HCSB

In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

It was dark and the shepherds had limited light. Maybe humble candles, that is until the angel of the Lord showed up with his crazy bright Xenon headlights and everybody got scared.

Reason 2 - Candlelight has to be passed.

Luke 2:10 HCSB

But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:

Did you catch that? For ALL the people. Nobody is outside of needing to hear about the light of Jesus. You gotta pass the light from candle to candle in order for others to experience the light. How are they gonna hear about Him?

Reason 3 - Candles demand a certain level of intimacy.

John 8:12 HCSB

Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

If you are cold, and all you have is a candle, you have to move closer to experience the warmth. If you need light, you have to move closer to read the text.

What’s most remarkable about the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior, is that instead of making us do the work of being intimately close in order to experience warmth and light, He comes to us. This is why we celebrate His birth.

Luke 2:11 (HCSB)

Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.

Jesus is the standard for spiritual light. He is the gift that is meant to be passed from person to person. The purpose of His birth is to draw people intimately close and experience His warmth, light, and power. Do you know Him? If you don’t know Jesus Christ as Savior, I want to meet you before you leave. If you do, I want you to talk with anyone who meets with me. This is the power of being like humble old candles.