This Little Light

Philippians 2:15b ".....in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world."

As the fog rolls in and paints our streets with a damp glow that mutes the sounds around us, I watch the cars slow down as they pass the house. All lit up for Christmas [once we plug in all the cords] a slow parade of neighbors trickles in to take pause at the warm holiday glow. I love Christmas - the season of lights.

More than any other time of the year, Christmas affords people a little more kindness toward one another, a little more grace, and a few more smiles. In the midst of heavy traffic and crazy shopping, there is a slow burning fire of human warmth beating like a steady heart underneath all the chaos. During no other season will you hear people announce that it's time to go look at all the lights.  

Suddenly the choice of music is shared, the choice of decor is celebrated while friends and family dig out old favorite recipes for cookies and eggnog. It's not just a local thing. It's world-wide. It's the ONE thing on this planet shared globally. Even if the season's celebration falls under a different label, people of all beliefs and faiths can drive by to admire the lights. The lights that hang in the fog and "bright" up the night. 

For the first time in ages the Dalton Gang was blessed with the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with my family.  As all of us gathered round the table and stuffed our faces, I couldn't help but the feel the warm beaming in through the windows as the cold Maryland winds rolled up and down the hills around my sister's house. Tiny tots bellowed out in joyous play, silverware brushed up against plates, and a gentle quiet settled over the family clan as mouths munched on tender morsels in palatable bliss - we shared our many, many things for which to be thankful. To my list, I mentally added the gift of light.

In the midst of the crooked where human pain is prevalent beyond these warm walls, there is light. As we move forward through our lives, Jesus shines through us - that is - when we pull back the curtains and let the light beam. That's the key is it not? Pulling back the curtains? Plugging in all the cords when we feel tired or disappointed? We have to keep on keeping on - even when it's cold outside and we'd rather stay inside wrapped up in a warm blanket, enjoying a steaming cup of coffee .... in fact, maybe that's when we are needed the most.

As people push and shove their way through black Friday and Cyber Monday - we are told to DO without grumbling. Philippians 2:14 instructs us to do all things withOUT complaining. As we pull back the curtains and plug in all the cords - the goal isn't to let the warm light IN - but to allow the light of Jesus Christ to shine OUT! We are asked to light up, to brighten the dark and allow people to slow down and look at the lights.  Guided, like moths to a flame, we've been given the precious responsibility of letting our light shine. 

So, this Christmas - let's light up!!  Lets hook in and bright up the night - withOUT grumbling or complaining.