Welcome winter to the northern hemisphere—yet what would otherwise be the darkest day, the fewest hours of daylight at the farthest reaches of our earthly orbit, is hardly so. For weeks, anticipating celebrations of the Savior, gardeners everywhere have filled yards with light! Stands of twinkle-brilliance wrap trees, shrubs, and topiaries, decorating winter gardens with marvelous light.
On this first day of winter—
“Let there be light”
Genesis 1:3 NIV
For those who love God’s Word, let this not be an idle sentiment, but a glory-stirring deep in our souls, so that every illumined bough and branch we see delights us with life-filled remembrance for the LORD, our everlasting light.
The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.
Isaiah 60:19-20 NIV
In turn, these words of Isaiah’s were anticipating celebrations with the Savior, in the sparkling secret garden described in Revelation, where jeweled walls enclose crystal waters, planted with the tree of life. In that glowing place,
There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light.
Revelation 22:5 NIV
Dazzle To-Do Lists
O gardeners, I assume you are like me, with three days left until Christmas and a flurry and dash of “to-do’s.” Keep this webpage handy to glance over whenever you are waiting in line, or needing to keep anxieties and dark thoughts away. God bless you, children of light! Rejoice in the radiance and relish God’s light.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:5 NIV
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
Isaiah 60:1 NIV
‘…open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
Acts 26:18 NIV
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
Ephesians 5:8 NIV
You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.
Psalm 18:28 NIV
M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S ! ! !
For more on the garden of Revelation, see “Garden of Light,” God’s Word for Gardeners Bible, from the Garden Tour section, page 1469
Photo Credits:
©2013 Flickr Creative Commons by Counse Atlanta Botanical Gardens Christmas Lights
©2014 FLickr Creative Commons by Walter “Holiday Lights in the Garden” at Florida Botanical Gardens
