If we look around during the Christmas season, everywhere in the world, a common tradition is lighting homes, streets, and establishments with Christmas lights, lanterns or candles. There is no other holiday or celebration during which we see this much light sparkling around the world. Is it significant that in so many countries this, of all times, is the season of light?

When Jesus was born, a star led 3 wise men through the darkness to the place where the Savior was. Lighting a Christmas lantern in the shape of a star, reminds us of that same star. It reminds us that in order for us to come unto Him, we must follow His light, just like the 3 Wise Men did. It also teaches that no matter how dark the night, His light will always illuminate our paths towards Him.

Christmas lights also remind us that He is the light of the world. His birth and life are the light that we follow so we can return to our Father in Heaven. He lived a perfect life and set the example for us. His gospel is a light that provides direction, guidance and hope as it “quickens our understanding” on the ways of the Lord. He is the light that can dispel darkness, fear, insecurities, and doubt from our lives. And although Christmas is a time when most people remember that He is the light of the world, His light will always be there in every season of our lives.

So how can we access the Lord’s light? His light is available to all because it is “given to every man, that he may know good from evil.” Every man, woman, and child in this world has the light of Christ in them and it is entirely up to us if we listen to it or we silence it. But it will always remain with us.

Jesus Christ shared His light with us and He wants us to “hold up [His] light that it may shine unto the world.” He wants us to reflect the light of Christ that we have in us, to remind others that the light of Christ can be found within everyone, if only we embrace it and let it shine within us. He does not want us to “put [our light] under a bushel, but on a candlestick,” and to “let [our] light so shine before men, that they may see [our] good works, and glorify [our] Father which is in heaven.” This is an invitation that goes beyond the Christmas season. He wants us to become a light to the world every day.

May the lights that we see during Christmas remind us of the one who is the ultimate source of light, even Jesus Christ, and may we continue to draw inspiration from Him as we seek to foster goodness in our lives.