Christmas, 2011

[Dr. Manuel recently provided me with the Christmas letters he and his wife Linda have sent each year since 2001.
One of the annual letters will be posted each day over a two week period.]

Dr. and Mrs. Paul Manuel

Christmas 2011

Dear Friends and Family,

When Linda and I bought a house, we made some minor renovations in keeping with our preferences, mostly simple changes. As time passed, the list of changes we wanted to make grew shorter. One item, though, continued to present a challenge. The family room, where we spent much of our time, was very dark, despite various attempts to introduce more light. We painted the brown paneled walls a brighter color, changed the fireplace façade from dark stones to white wood, hung a large mirror on one wall, added a couple of floor lamps and some track lighting. While such changes improved the situation, the room still felt dark.

Linda wanted to cut a hole in the wall that separated the family room from the living room, which had a large bay window facing the morning sun. She was certain such an alteration would bring natural light into the family room. I was dubious. Besides, having a gaping hole in the wall did not strike me as particularly attractive. (Perhaps we could cover it with a curtain at night.) Then she explained that she wanted to install a window in the wall to allow natural light from the living room into the family room. I was relieved.

My sister and brother-in-law gave us a leaded-glass window they found at an estate sale, just the size Linda wanted. We had it installed before Thanksgiving, and the improvement was remarkable. The family room is now much brighter. Natural light from the sun is far better than artificial light from a lamp.

The theme of light is prominent in scripture, especially as it relates to the advent of Jesus, because he provided a clearer view of God than was available before, a window on His personality and priorities. The author of Hebrews states..,

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being. (Heb 1:3)

There are many potential sources of information about God, some more helpful than others. The best source, however, is the one who represented Him and said....

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. (John 14:9b)

The apostle Paul also noted this about Jesus.

He is the image of the invisible God. (Col 1:15a)

If we want to know what the Father is like, we need only look at the Son. Moreover, his instruction provides the illumination we need along life's path. Again, Jesus said...

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. (John 8:12b)

Jesus said that illumination was one of the main reasons for his incarnation.

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. (John 12:46)

Natural light from the Son is far better than artificial light from a lamp.

The theme of light is prominent in scripture, especially as it relates to the advent of Jesus. While you celebrate Christmas, rejoice that he provided a clearer view of God than was available before. May that light illuminate your path this coming year.

Pastor and Linda