Christmas Lights

I hope you have had a wonderful year and are entering Christmas with joy and laughter.  You may be in the wide place God sometimes gives us for respite from the world and its afflictions.

But when I prayed for my friends this morning, I realized that many were entering Christmas weary, discouraged, or sad. One friend’s grandchild died almost immediately at birth. One friend is worn out from caregiving and all that goes with that. One friend mourns that she and her sibling do not have that close, loving relationship they once did. One friend is unfairly treated in her workplace and is apprehensive about the future. One friend needs meaningful work, and for now, just a paycheck. I could go on.

As I prayed, I felt I could see their bruised and hurting hearts. I could see the worn places on the walls of those hearts, weighted down by care and disappointment. There was heaviness and darkness oppressing them. I prayed that the Light of the World Himself would enter the gloom of their hearts and fill those dark chambers with his light. I prayed He would flood each heart with a bright light that they would know could only come from Him. I prayed that the dusk of depression and sadness would be exchanged for a warm glow that could not be dispelled because He that is within them is stronger than he who is in the world.

I prayed they would go from joyless to joyful. The true joy of Christmas is not parties and cookies and high spirits. The true joy of Christmas is simply Him. It is Jesus. It is knowing that no matter how dark your year has been that nothing can take the light of Jesus out of your heart. It is always there. Get in touch with it and fan the flame of it this Christmas until it lightens your soul. You don’t have to have exuberance to have joy. Enjoy the quiet sureness of eternal joy this Christmas. It may be a different kind of Christmas, but it may be the most intimate one you have ever had with the Savior for Whom this season is named.

Remember that we are the shepherds, continuing to look up to hear the Good News that Jesus has come and will come again. We are the Magi coming from Atlanta, New York, New Delhi and all over the world to bring our gifts to honor Him and celebrate that He came to deliver us. We are the messengers of these Truths and we are the ministers to His people. Praise God we do not have to do it ourselves. Praise Him for the Holy Spirit that is carrying us right now and Who will help us carry the light of the Good News to others.

As I walk through my living room in the dark each morning, I see only the tiny white lights of my small Christmas tree shining. The room is completely dark but the glow lights my way to the place where I meet with Him. When I see my tree, I am reminded that one man born in lowly circumstances continues to light up the world for all of mankind and kindles a light in my heart when it feels dark. When I think of Christmas lights, I think of Jesus.