The Light of Jesus Never Grows Dim

It seemed to be a regular night in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago. Shepherds on the hillsides were caring for their sheep. I imagine it was dark and dreary, because they were astounded when angels appeared with a message: "Do not be afraid, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be for all people." Even more exciting were the words: "For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2: 10-11).

The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found Baby Jesus lying in a manger, just as they were told. Years later, when Jesus began his ministry, we read in John 8:12 that he said, "I am the Light of the world. All who follow me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life."

There is only One whose light has been the answer to a walk in the dark. When we chose that Light, our lives are filled with His peace, His presence and His power.

But many choose to live on the hillsides of life. They have not, or will not, accept the Light into their lives. They settle for artificial light that comes from different sources. At Christmas, the lights on Christmas trees seem to shout to the onlooker, "Hey look at me, I'm so beautiful." And yes, the Christmas tree lights are beautiful, but they are gone within a few weeks.

Another light that does not last more than a few weeks is described in a joyful song the composer wrote of a reindeer that had a special light on his nose. It has brought laughter and great joy to children of all ages. We can only imagine the little strange nose that was such a great help at this special time of year.

An advertising clerk for Montgomery-Ward in Chicago was working at his desk in the fall of 1939 when his boss walked by and asked: "Can you come up with a new gimmick for the Christmas shoppers this year? Sales were slow last Christmas."

The clerk, Robert May, set to work. The simple request gave birth to an idea that was eventually to explode into the popular-music phenomenon recognized world-wide as "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." May drew a cartoon-style reindeer and wrote a poem about its life.

That 1939 creation brought lighthearted laughter to many people and was credited with selling lots of extra toys for the store and mail-order company. Thousands of poems were distributed and the funny little reindeer with a red nose began to acquire a life of its own. Most are familiar with the poem, but few realize that the story is actually auto-biographical. Robert May apparently reached into his own life to portray the personality of Rudolph - the sad little reindeer who was laughed at and not allowed to play with the others.

The author's daughter, Virginia Herz, has revealed that the poem tells a story similar to her father's life. "He was a very shy man and felt like an underdog", she says.

With his shining red nose, Rudolph was the only reindeer who could provide a guiding light to Santa. That Christmas Eve night was dark, and only Rudolph could lead the sleigh. He fulfilled a lofty purpose for his life. Suddenly he was important and his friends changed their attitude. They even shouted out - with glee - that he would go down in history.

Ten years later, the poem became the basis for a short movie cartoon. Rudolph's fame spread when music was added. Popular cowboy singer Gene Autry recorded it and millions of records were sold.

By the time it was made into a television special in 1974, it had become a part of America's Christmas tradition. The original poem with Rudolph memorabilia is on display at Robert May's alma mater, Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH.

The light of Rudolph's nose is a joy to behold in pictures. But it is only a symbol of a temporary light that serves a purpose for a little while but is soon gone.

There is a Light that never grows dim. However, there was a period of my life when I did not have that Light, even though I thought I did. I was raised in a Christian home, attended church all my life, married a minister, and we became missionaries in another country.

But one day my whole life was changed when I realized that I did not know how to pray. I was alone in the waiting room of a hospital in New Mexico. Fear enveloped me as I waited while my nine-year-old son, Scotty, had emergency surgery.

I picked up a booklet called Adventures in Prayer. The author, Catherine Marshall, described her experiences in prayer, which did not resemble anything I knew. She prayed as if she were actually talking to God as a real person. That relationship sounded too good to be true, but I longed to experience it.  I knew that all of my church attendance since childhood would not sustain me during those anxious moments.

So I began to pray, "Lord, are you listening? I have never known you. But I want to. Help me." I could not imagine what would happen. This was the most exciting prayer I had ever uttered.

Within the week, Light began to flood my soul. Not only was my son well again, but my life would never be the same. I was excited about each new day. I joined a prayer group in my church. Those joy-filled women had the Light of Jesus on their faces as we studied and prayed together. Years have passed, but I continue to walk the path of eternal life as I  trust and grow in my Christian faith.

Lord God almighty, I come into your holy presence because I have been given that honor by your son, Jesus, the Christ. As I celebrate His birthday during this glorious time of the year, continue to guide me to that Perfect Light that never ceases. Steer me away from any temporary lights that dazzle but offer nothing. If the manger was dark before He lay there, it will never be dark again. That is why I lovingly make a manger of my heart.

In Jesus' name,
Amen

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Lucy Neeley Adams  has always loved music. She began telling the story of hymns on Christian radio WWGM in Nashville, TN, in the '80s. She then wrote a newspaper column titled "Song Stories" for five years. During that time Lucy's book, 52 Hymn Story Devotions, was published by Abingdon Press in Nashville. Each of the 52 stories contained in the book is written in a devotional format, with the words of the hymn concluding each devotion.
Lucy, dubbed "The hymn lady," can be heard on the first Thursday of each month when she discusses hymn stories during a telephone interview with Michelle Mendoza of "Living Christian".  The program is aired on station  KCIS in Seattle, WA.
Lucy lives at Lake Junaluska, NC, with her minister husband, Woody. They have four children and fourteen grandchildren. She may be reached for comment at lucya424@aol.com. Visit her at 52hymns.com