With Christmas approaching, there comes softly deposited impressions from the Holy Spirit into the hearts of striving saints. Such nudges are among these: an increased desire to worship anew the Babe of Bethlehem, to offer something meaningful in time or talent to His children, to begin a new outward focused tradition, or at the very least, to pause and in an undisturbed setting, worship, praise, and adore Him.
Heaven to earth sent urges are to light the part of His vineyard where we live with His light – manifest by the glow of ever needful good works.
I love Christmas because I, like you, adore the Christ of Christmas. Though the world has largely circumvented the One who gave us cause to celebrate and rejoice and has in His rightful place, displayed Santa, reindeer, and gingerbread men, those souls who still look unapologetically past such distractions find Him.
And they know the truth.
Jesus Christ is the light of this world, and He is the reason for the light of hope, happiness, and help in our lives.
I have an intense desire this Christmas to decorate the inside of our little lodge with lights. I’m not a big decorator for any holiday. It’s just not my style. A few simple expressions of décor have always been sufficient for me.
But.
This Christmas I’ll be buying more lights.
And lots of them.
I’ve used up all that I could find already. Enough to do the hallway railing for the stairs. In the living room, leading into the kitchen. But the banisters need lights. Maybe our bedroom. Perchance a few in the bathrooms. Our reading room. My husband’s office. The windows. Everywhere!
I guess I’m desperate to hang so many lights because I desperately desire to remember Him this season, to not be sidetracked by shallow and misguided distractions. The soft emanating glow of the lights are an outward symbol of the light I most seek this December: the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.
As the year concludes, I recall all that He did to save and change me these last three hundred plus days, the progress we made together, the failings and the victories, the meaningful sacraments where I renewed and remembered, the times in His natural landscapes of beauty, the instances I felt He was close, His guiding touch, when I felt close enough that I could reach for Him, all the times He didn’t turn me away but rather embraced me for coming, for pleading, for asking, for trying.
Gosh, I love Him more this year than I did last year!
He has been my light as he’s…
Helped me develop the skills needed to do my job.
Guided us to a new place of residence in the mountains.
Extended grace when I deserved justice.
Given me callings that have been an absolute joy.
Helped my heart soften.
Given me moments of clarity and inspiration.
Blessed me with growing experiences.
Bestowed new friends upon me.
Deepened my ability to learn to love more like Him
Given me the smile of approval to go on, ask for something better things of Father
Embraced me in soul warmth – like unto a soft, sherpa blanket around my tired shoulders
Yes! This little lodge will be aglow with inside lights here, there, and everywhere this Christmas. In remembrance of Jesus, my friend, who is the light of this fallen world, they will shine.
Unto all the world: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)