Last year I had a rare opportunity during December. My daughter is in the process of acquiring the hours needed to get her driver’s license. This means that I get to sit in the passenger seat and give plenty of admonition on how she can become the ideal safe driver. There are numerous benefits to this activity. One is: I get to look around a lot more at the houses and scenery that we are driving past. I’m amazed at how many things I notice that I’ve not really had a chance to see before as we drive the familiar roads between Hartville and Brimfield. This is true especially at night. All of a sudden there are houses everywhere that are being lit up each evening with a variety of designs and endless creativity. I truly enjoy the distinctiveness and brightness of lights against the velvety black of the night. And, I find myself like a child, momentarily lost in the facination of the moment with each new house I see. Each house reminds me of the passage of scripture in Philippians 2 that says; “14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.”
The Christmas season brings out the child in all of us. It is often reflected in the Christmas decorations, such as: the lights, Santa Claus, reindeer, candy canes, and nativity scenes. But the lights are particularly powerful, communicating life, warmth, direction and hope against the backdrop of darkness. Jesus came in to a world shrouded in darkness, to bring light. He told his disciples that they are the light of the world and to let their light shine before others. His light shown brightly, the world was changed forever. Yet, the work was not done. As I return home from riding with my daughter I realize my work is not yet done, I need to put the lights up on my house. The same is true with our lives, our work is not yet done, we are called to be lights in this dark world. People need to see the light that comes from living for Christ in graciousness and thankfulness. Will you join me in being a vessel of light to those who are along for the ride. They also may just start to glow and glorify their Father in Heaven. Connecting Christ and community, Ron
