At our Christmas Eve service last night, I shared a memory from a Christmas Eve so many years ago. That night we sang the traditional songs, heard the Christmas message and then all of us left the building and gathered in a courtyard where we carried candles and then we lit them all together. And we were told that this represented Jesus, God’s light coming into the world for us. After singing “Silent night” we were told to have a Merry Christmas! Everyone blew out their candles and wished each other a Merry Christmas except for three kids…my brother and my sister and me! We just kept that light we carried protected and burning. We all walked out to the parking lot and the candles were still lit. And then we got into the car, the three of us in the back seat, each with a lighted, burning candle! We were determined to not let that light go out! We made it all the way home and I still can’t fathom why my folks let us have burning torches in the back seat of the car! But we made it into the garage and then finally…home. We made it all the way home with that light we were given that Christmas. I’ve thought about that each year and am reminded that’s what God has asked us to do. No, not threaten to set a 1963 Chevy Impala on fire, but to receive that light from God and to not let it go out, but to keep it burning in our hearts and our minds and our souls…. until we get home. Everything about humanity changed on the first Christmas, the light of God himself came into this world and all who want it can receive it and carry it, for themselves and to others. But the task will be to keep that light all the days of our lives…until we make it home, our real home where there is real life, in the presence of the Jesus of Christmas who brings light to all men and women and girls and boys. Let your life be lit with love and forgiveness and hope and meaning. And if you have lit that “candle” of yours, keep it bright and burning and let it give light and hope not only to you but to everyone your life touches. And carry that same light all the way to heaven! God bless you this glorious Christmas Day and Merry Christmas. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
John 1:9-12 BSB The true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world. (10) He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. (11) He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. (12) But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ
John 1:9-12 BSB The true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world. (10) He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. (11) He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. (12) But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ