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The people walking in darkness, have seen a great light on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned. Isaiah nine, verse two. American painter Thomas Kincaid is known throughout the world as the painter of light. Lighted windows and buildings and cottages, the warm glow of campfires and the play of sun in clouds give his paintings a life of their own. Those who view his art carefully will find their eyes moving away from the other elements and figures in the paintings toward the light. A deeply religious man, Kincaid's paintings often include not only obvious religious symbols like church buildings and crosses, but also more subtle things like open gates and bridges that represent the crossing from life on earth into heaven. Pathways are also common in his paintings, many of which come to a fork with one branch leading into a darkened area of the painting and the other leading into a lighted area, suggesting that those who walk the path reach a point where they must decide whether to choose to walk toward the darkness or toward the light. I don't know all of Thomas Kincaid's favorite Bible verses, but I wouldn't be surprised to find among them verses like Isaiah 92. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. The Christmas season would seem incomplete without lights. In fact, the lights are among people's favorite things in the Christmas season. Not only are the lights pleasing to the eye, but they represent something much more significant, the light of the world. I love the verse of the Christmas carol that says, hail the heaven born prince of peace. Hail the son of righteousness, light and life to all he brings risen with healing in his wings mild he lays his glory by born that man no more may die born to raise the sons of earth born to give them second birth. As the Christmas season comes to an end, the glow of lights from decorated trees and windows will begin to fade away, and soon all that will remain are the red, yellow and green lights of traffic signals and the harsh glare of overhead streetlights. Sadly, as the Christmas lights are turned off, taken down and put away, so is the Christmas spirit that has ruled the land for a few short weeks. When life as usual returns, mankind's thoughts will turn from the light of the world to darker matters of business, greed and selfcentered ambition. Wouldn't it be great if we could keep the Christmas spirit alive all year? We may not have the decorations or play the Christmas songs, but we can most certainly let the light of the world shine in us. And you know, that might be all the beacon someone needs to find his way to Jesus.

This has been your thought for the day with Steve Burkham pastor of Community Christian Church in Stockton, California. If you have questions or comments for Pastor Steve, please send them to daily [email protected]. Have a great day, and we hope you'll join us tomorrow as Pastor Steve opens God's word to bring us another thought for the day.