A GREAT Light

Hello, all! I do apologize that it has been a while since I have posted. And now, all of a sudden, I have found time on CHRISTMAS DAY!?!? It's amazing when those pockets of time surface, isn't it?

I have been looking at my kids' Little People Nativity under the tree today and pondering the significance of the season. First, I should probably explain something that has become a tradition for our family. And, no, I cannot claim credit for this idea, it was something I caught from another mom somewhere along the way...

When I decorate for Christmas, I pull out our Little People nativity characters and put them in various places (visible) around the main living areas with one exception - baby Jesus is very, very well hidden where no one will find Him. Starting on December 1st, then on every 5th day following in December, we focus on one character of the nativity. We have a bible verse and a child's graspable version of their story. So, my kids find the character in the house and bring them to the dinner table, I read the verse and tell the person's story, and then the kids put them in the stable.

On and on throughout December, we add the characters, adding to the story, until finally, on Christmas morning, Jesus is there when the kids wake. My solid hope is that, as we work to emphasize Christ's role in Christmas, they will be as eager to see Him appear in the nativity as they are for anything else as they have been searching for Him all month (as He is so well hidden).

As you can see, all the gifts under the tree are gone now, except the greatest gift of all - the characters that represent the story...and, most of all, the Christ child. Today, before we indulged in our Christmas lunch, I shared the whole story and we briefly talked about why Jesus coming to earth was important.

But I've been pondering all day as I pass the tree moving back and forth about His presence in my life...through the ups and downs, the days that I just barely make it through and the days that I seem to sail through (rare, they may be). The Bible says about Christ's coming that "those in darkness have seen a great light". What does light do? Illuminate. It shows the truth.

And the truth is that He is Emmanuel...He is sustaining me, using my story to bring good into my life, and walking with me through all the stuff life throws at me. And in the midst of this stuff, He has asked me to let His light in me burn for others to see. Not because I'm perfect...quite the opposite. Because He is at work in me...that is when He is most visible. When we admit we can't do it and fall into His grace. Sisters, can you imagine how beautiful we are? Like the lights on a Christmas tree, each with its (sometimes small) light. And how beautiful they are when they burn in unison? When you dim the lights, how bright? The darkness does not douse their ability to shine, it enhances it.

So, as we close out Christmas Day, I do hope you and yours are enjoying time together. My prayers are with those of you who are hurting. May God comfort you especially today.