Lights

While online I usually remain quiet about my religious beliefs unless asked about them, this time of year always seems to remind me why I believe what I believe and do what I do. I am quiet not out of embarrassment or shame but out of respect for others. I know many people read my blog that do not believe as I do, but I try to teach my faith with simple words and ideas. Please allow me to share the thoughts that have constantly been running through my mind.

I love Christmas. I love the snow, the candy-decorated windows, the berry wreaths, the idea of Santa, the smell of fresh-cut Christmas trees, the anonymous homemade goodies left on our doorstep, the men and women who serve one another, the bells of the Salvation Army volunteers outside the grocery store, the smell of pumpkin spice and apple cider, the longing for "home" that dwells in my heart, the bright-eyed kids walking through toy stores, the hand-written letters to Santa. I love everything about Christmas. However, my favorite part is seeing lights on housetops, businesses, temples, and trees.

I started to think about why we do what we do at Christmas time. Why do we hang lights? Who thought of that? After reading a poignant article about Christmas, I started thinking, maybe someone somewhere started hanging lights when they realized the true purpose for Christmas. Christ: the light of the world. He is the constant light on the darkest and coldest nights. I looked at the lights on our house last night and thought, "This is what it is really all about." Being full of light.

As I looked at our lights, I saw a few burned out bulbs. I hate when there is a burned out bulb. It just looks tacky. Then I started thinking how we are like Christmas lights. We start the year all bright and full of light, but by the next year when we are about to hang the lights, there are a few bulbs burned out. That can and does happen to everyone. Our "bulbs" burn out for several reasons. We get tired. We forget things. We get sloppy. We do things we shouldn't. Because I hate the tacky look of burned out bulbs, I am obsessive about changing out the old bulbs and replacing them with new ones. Essentially we need to do that for ourselves. We need to change or purge the old ones and replace them with new ones.

So much sentimental talk but the bottom line is the only way I can really change the old, tacky burned out bulbs is through Christ. I believe that He has the power to help us change. To help us be better. To help us shine bright again. I am grateful for this season. My heart feels softer knowing there are more and more opportunities to serve. I am grateful that Christ is at the center of all the gifts I have been given. Just the knowledge of Him, knowing He is real makes this season worth it.

I hope you will throw away your old burned out light bulbs. For those of you who do not believe as I do and for those of you who do, I hope you will find one bad habit to get rid of this next year. Merry Christmas a little early.