Thursday, December 15, 2011

"Let there be light

. . . and there was light.  God saw that the light was good"   (Genesis 1:3-4)


I put up the tree last evening and as I plugged in the lights, I said “Let there be light”!  
Beautiful
Soothing
peaceful

All the lights of the holidays 
  • the lights on the tree
  • the star on the top of the tree
  • the candles flickering
  • the twinkling beams radiating from the wreaths
  • the glow from the garlands
  • the radiance from the candles of the menorahs
remind me that it was our God who created LIGHT


Have you ever noticed how many times or ways that LIGHT is involved in the Christmas story? 




the foretelling of Jesus in John 1:6-9 
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. . . 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that LIGHT. 9 That was the true  LIGHT which gives LIGHT to every man coming into the world.  


the announcement to the shepherds
“And in that vicinity there were shepherds living in the field, watching over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and [light ] SHONE all about them, and they were terribly frightened.”   Luke 2:8-9


the guidance of the Magi
Matthew 2:2,9  2 “Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His STAR in the east at its rising and have come to worship Him.
When they had listened to the king, they went their way, and behold, the STAR which had been seen in the east in its rising went before them until it came and stood over the place where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the STAR, they were thrilled with ecstatic joy.”  (Matt 2:2,9 AMP)

When Jesus was taken to the temple for dedication:
“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a LIGHT for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."  Luke 2:28-32


He created LIGHT
He was LIGHT
He sent His only son as the LIGHT
He asked that we be LIGHT in our own worlds. That we share His LIGHT of the gospel with others.  
Are we?
Am I? 
I’m not sure.  I need to ponder this.  Am I doing all that I can to be a LIGHT to others? 


Paul’s letter to Philippian church reminds us again that we are to be LIGHTs.  He said: 
“Do all you have to do without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be God's children, blameless, sincere and wholesome, living in a warped and diseased world, and SHINING there like LIGHTS in a dark place. For you hold in your hands the very word of life.”  Phil 2:14

Did you catch the end of that?

It says that we hold in our hands the very word of life to a dying warped diseased world. 

We hold LIFE – which is the LIGHT

Would you withhold life from someone if it was in your power to give it? 


As I sit here reflecting, I wonder

What can we do to share LIGHT?
Are we SHINING?
Are we FLICKERING in the pitch black darkness to help make someone else’s way a little easier, a little brighter?



What can we do this season to bring LIGHT, hope and joy? 

  • ·         A simple sincere smile that LIGHTS up our face as we meet someone, which in turn LIGHTS up their face and then maybe even their heart.
  • ·         A card
  • ·         A phone call
  • ·         A flower
  • ·         A gift certificate to their favorite place to dine
  • ·         A hug
  • ·         A visit to a nursing home
  • ·         A visit to those who mourn an empty space at the table this year.  Don't forget to mention their loved one's name.  They need to hear it.   
  • ·         A gift certificate to their favorite place
    • o   The beauty shop
    • o   The grocery store
    • o   The gas station
    • Anything that will help them realize that someone is thinking of them.

I want to be LIGHT breaking through the darkness to others this season. 
This season of LIGHTS

Just as last evening, the star on the top of my Christmas tree and the lights reminded me that this is a season of hope, of joy, of life, of LIGHT

It’s about time I packed away my sorrows, trauma, and sad memories and put up that tree last night.  I even stopped on my way home from work last evening and bought a beautiful star to put on top of my tree.  For some reason, I HAD to have a star. 

I reasoned that:
The One who provided the star to guide the Wise Men would help guide me.
Would help me find hope, joy, and LIGHT this Christmas season 2011. 

You see – I haven’t had a Christmas tree for years.  
This has always been a depressing and lonely season for me.  It’s been a DARK season for me for years. 

Until last night, when I put up the tree, 
plugged in the lights and announced:
“LET THERE BE LIGHT!” 


And there was LIGHT
And it was so so GOOD










16 comments:

  1. Ohhh, Janet...I am sending you big, huge hugs! It warmed my heart to read your blog today, and that you put your tree up! I can't imagine what you have been going through, but I can tell you that you ARE a light, and your light shines bright. More hugs, GraceinAZ

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  2. Janet, thanks for asking us to consider how many times or ways light is involved in the Christmas story--because I had not noticed. I treasure your insight that a smile that lights up our faces can in turn LIGHT up other people's faces--and hearts. :)

    I'm SO glad you put up a Christmas tree this year! Bless your heart. Keep hanging on, friend, hanging on to the Lord's strong hand. May His light bring increasing brightness into your life during this season.

    Smiles,
    Linda

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  3. When Ronelle was home in October she put your blog as one of my favorites.

    That was neat today. I went on down and litened to "He Calls my name" and it is so uplift.

    what you wrtoe today was a mini sermon so thanks. You are special and so talented. Glad you put up your tree and I am proud of you.
    Love ya Nelda

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  4. Wow, I had not looked at Christmas Lights like this before. Thank you for sharing this..I have been truly blessed

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  5. I am sitting here in tears. I am so thankful that you have made this breakthrough. You know that this will not make our enemy, the devil, happy. We hereby place a hedge of protection around you and your family in the strong name of Jesus.

    You go girl. Good progressl Thanks for sharing.

    Love and prayers,


    Lin Cutler

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  6. Janet,
    Thank you for sharing such a beautiful testimony of how Jesus serves as the light for all of us. You are spreading His light by spreading your hope. I am so happy you felt inspired to put up your tree and share your story of hope.May you continue to be open to God's light and love so you can keep being a light to all of us. We are all enriched,enlightened and inspired when we share out stories of hope!
    Blessings,
    Kathy

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  7. Thanks for sharing with us your new step of healing, along with insights concerning what Scripture says about this season of LIGHTS. Powerful!

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  8. I have only been reading your posts for a very short time and really enjoyed reading your words here. Sending wishes that this Christmas season will be filled with bright and joyful moments!

    Kindly, Lorraine

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  9. Wonderful, Janet! Good for you! Happy holidays. It was time to take that step. It doesn't take us away from sadness, but closer to remembering more of the things that brought us joy, and still can. Light at the darkest time of the year is lovely, and something else we can share.

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  10. The Gitzen Girl is smiling at this, I'm sure :)

    So glad that you've taken this step - and I'm sure you noticed that God is right there with you, helping you along. So proud of His girl, His little Princess.

    Saying a special prayer for you tonight.

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  11. Ummmm - sorry - I'm STILL trying to figure out why my comment above (flashthoughts) would never work with me using my name :(

    At least I finally got it to do right here - LOL

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  12. I keep hearing it over and over again this year: Jesus, the Light of the World.

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  13. Yes, God is light, and I love the day and sunshine and brightness...its a time to rejoice and say, this is the day the Lord has made....In a darkened room, when you switch the light on everthing immediately looks safe. Yes!! He is the light of the world, and in Him there is no darkness. Praise God xxxxx

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  14. Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah, and while I don't particularly observe the holiday customs of food and gift-giving, I never pass up a reason to light candles. So I will start lighting them tonight, and every night for the next 8, and the light will increase every night. I wrote a story about my somewhat unusual upbringing around the holidays at this time of year on another blog, http://spiritualmemoirs101.blogspot.com/ I hope you'll drop by there. This time of year invites the best in us.

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  15. Let your LIGHT shine!!

    Stopping by to say Merry Christmas!
    - Ashley Pichea

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  16. Thank you for sharing this post with me. It is so awesome that you put up that tree! Thank you for coming by my blog. I am so thankful to know that someone else can find hope in my story. I am so excited to see how you make it along the path that God will light up for you as you follow him daily. God bless you this day and may the love of God fill you with hope and wonder this Christmas.

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