Shining Lights

The first of December marks a turning point in our household, for the Christmas tree is put up and the decorations are laid out in readiness to celebrate the season of love, joy, peace and hope. A few weeks ago we purchased a fibre-optic tree and are now enjoying sitting in the dark lounge room simply watching the lights shine in their splendour.

One of our annual pleasures during December is to take a night drive around different neighbourhoods to check out the various Christmas light displays and rate their effectiveness in representing the true Reason for the Season. In the process of our pilgrimage, I am often encouraged in the knowledge that the Light shone in the darkness on the first Christmas night and ever since the darkness has not been able to put it out. As believers, we need to be intentional in living our lives so that they reflect the glory of God's Love-Light in a world where people are desperately seeking a personal experience of joy, peace and hope.

Doesn't Jesus command us to do just that everyday? Let our lights shine...so that others may see the glory of God's Love for themselves and know His promised Life-light.

Be a 'shining light' in your world, for that's what lights do best ~ shine!

Isaiah 60:1 (NIV) ~ "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you."

Keep Christ In Christmas

Now here's a challenge for us all! In a day and age where little focus is given to the true meaning of Christmas, we believers have a personal and spiritual responsibility to promote the real "Reason for the Season".

Dabak and I attended and participated in Ringwood Corp's Companion Club Christmas Breakup today, where Louise Teisberg's poem "When Jesus Called That Christmas Week" was shared in a closing devotional by Lieutenant Angela Locke as a challenge to keep Christ in Christmas.
Here are the words for your personal reflection.

When Jesus called that Christmas week I wasn't at my best;

And the house was much too cluttered to entertain a guest.

He seemed to notice everything, the cards still unaddressed;

The gifts piled high awaiting wraps, the baking and the rest.

His eyes fell on the evergreen and the presents 'neath the tree,

It's my birthday that you celebrate ~ what are you giving me?

'What am I giving him?' I thought; ashamed, no words I found.

So many costly things I'd bought, he looked at me and frowned.

I prayed he'd let the question pass, but when he did persist,

I blurted out the truth at last, "You were not on my list."