Light a Candle

 

Light a Candle

This time of the year is typically a joyous occasion for most of the world. We decorate our homes, offices, cars, etc. with holiday décor. We make time to join in holiday festivities such as Christmas plays, choirs, or orchestras. If you live up North, maybe you’re enjoying the snowy weather and looking forward to making snowmen, snow angels, sledding, ice skating, etc. We make our wish lists and fulfill others’ wish lists, and so on and so forth.

 

The busyness of the holidays can mask the fact that not everyone enjoys this time of year. For years, I found it difficult to understand why others would not enjoy Christmas like I did. Over the years, as I have grown, I came to the realization that not everyone can be truly joyous during the holidays for many reasons. Many of us are facing this season for the first time and/or again without dearly loved ones in our midst. Other people have faced unexpected hardships, pain, and grief this year alone. Depressive episodes and suicides run rampant during the holiday season as well.  


I cannot bring you Shalom, comfort, and joy but I do know The One that will. You see, He sent His Only Son just for you! The Christmas story is not just about a baby in a manger, it is about God’s love physically displayed for all to see. It is about Jesus born as a light for us, to work in us, and through us! This is what The Father & His Son will do for you in whatever season you find yourself in right now. Jesus read this out of the book of Isaiah 61 while he was in Nazareth, but I have attached the rest of it: 


“The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. God sent me to announce the year of his grace— a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies— and to comfort all who mourn, to care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. (MSG) 


In Mathew 5, Jesus tells his disciples that they are the light of the world, and they should let their light shine before others so the Father can be glorified. This season and moving forward, will we try our best to be a light unto others? I hope that we can take time out of our busy schedules to “light a candle” for those that would be blessed by our light. There are so many ways that we can be a light unto others: lending a listening ear, helping a neighbor, sending a card to a friend, praying for a loved one, volunteering at a food bank or soup kitchen, donating items to a thrift store, not leaving our shopping carts in the parking spots lol, being courteous to cashiers/servers, and visiting nursing homes/shut-ins, etc.  


My family always participates in Samaritan’s Purse “Operation Christmas Child” program by packing shoe boxes to send to children waiting to be blessed. There are some churches that do the Angel tree, collect non-perishable goods for community shelters and/or food banks, and others collect an offering to bless members of their congregation and/or community organizations. There are a lot of businesses that collect the “Toys for Tots,” do pledge drives, and collect donations for non-profits. I am sure you are well aware of the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign as their volunteers are ringing bells at store fronts! There are a lot of ways you can get involved and make a difference in your community. Just know that whatever you do this season, you are making an impact in someone’s life that will echo for an eternity.  


Jesus came as a light into this world. He came to be The light into our darkness. How can we, in turn, reach out and be a light to someone else? 

  

I wish you a Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! 

  

Warm Wishes, 

  

Carline 

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