This time of year brings with it so many activities, traditions, busy calendars and time spent with family and friends. Like the song says, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” I love so many things about the Christmas season. I love hanging all my precious ornaments on our tree. Most of them are gifts from friends and family. I say a prayer for each person as I place it on that special branch.

I get excited to decorate the house. In following my Mom’s tradition, I put something Christmas in every room. I love holiday baking. Some treats are annual family favorites while others are a new recipe that year. I love listening to Christmas music. Just last night I was wondering how many Christmas songs there must be. Between the kids favorites like Frosty the Snowman, the old favorites like White Christmas and the beautiful hymns like Joy to the World, there is something for everyone’s taste. And of course, I love shopping for presents to give. Finding the perfect gift for someone special and even the unexpected treasure for the “hard to buy for” person always brings me joy.

But my favorite feature of this season is the lights. Growing up, my parents, my sister and I would load up in our 1965 Ford Station Wagon and drive around looking at all the beautifully colored lights. The downtown businesses always had exquisite window displays that looked magical. Neighborhood houses would be lit so brightly there was no need for a city street light. The radiant colors looked like a rainbow in the dark. Driving around looking at the lights is a tradition we carried on when our sons were small. I think it’s a tradition for a lot of people. 

The white lights on our tree and those illuminating my Charles Dickens Christmas Village display fill our living room with an warm glow. Even the candles at church seem to shine brighter to me. When I look closely, all this radiance brings a calmness over me. The brilliance fills my heart with peace and love. As the lights mesmerize me, I think of the brightest light of all— Jesus. Christmas is the celebration of His birth. He is the light of the world. We are so blessed to have Him as our guiding light. 

As much as I love this time of year, I know it can be hard for some. I know the fears and tragedies of the world can seem hopeless. But it is in the darkness that light shines the brightest. Let Jesus be that bright light for you. 

All of you are in my thoughts and prayers for a very blessed and joyous Christmas.

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world, Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12 (NIV)

“For you were once darkness, but now you are the light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8 (NIV)

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5 (ESV)