My Christmas Light

From trees, to houses, to metal sculptures, they all can be seen covered in lights this time of year. While some are a little tacky, the overall effect is quite breathtaking. Millions, probably billions of tiny little bulbs are lit all over the world this Christmas season. Little lights twinkling, that bring smiles and joy to so many. They make the darkness seem less scary. For this season they add to the magic and wonder of it all.

Two weeks ago I talked about Christmas lights and Jesus being the light of the world. I talked about how his light was the one that leads us through darkness. Today I had a different thought when looking at all the twinkling lights.

Yes, I thought about Jesus being the light of the world, but also how we are called to be light for others.

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“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14 - 16

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I started to think about how each believer is like a one of those twinkling lights I love so much. I thought about how each one of us has the power to share beautiful light or darkness with the world. I started to think about how my light was shining. Is it out for others to see? Is it bright? Dim? Has it burnt out?

How’s your light doing?

As you drive by the beautiful lights of the season may you be reminded of Jesus, the true light of the world, but also how we are called to be light to others. Imagine how beautiful it would look if all believers were shining brightly for him, pointing others toward Jesus.

Today, I’ll leave you with another song I love by Third Day. I’ll be praying that this week is filled with joy, love, and a whole lot of light.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Just Rest...

We are six days into December and I’m already so very tired. My heart is full with all the joy I’ve gotten to witness this week. All the smiles, the laughs, the generosity - have been a true delight. While my heart may be full, this girl is real tired.

That leaves me with a choice to make. I could sit here for a extended period of time and push out a longer blog. I can hear myself starting to say it must be this perfect thing that I can offer to God. There were a lot of “I’s” in that sentence and that’s a good indication I’m about to miss the mark. So instead of giving into that self-centered desire, I’m going to choose option number two.

I’m going to close up my laptop, spend some more time with Jesus and go to bed. I’m going to rest so that tomorrow I can be his hands and feet. So that tomorrow I’m ready to serve.

Friends don’t be afraid to step back from the busy world when you need to and just rest in His arms. It’s one of the best places in the world.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Christmas Light

There is something so peaceful about plugging in a Christmas tree. I look forward to the time of year when it is acceptable to put up my tree. I’ll admit I was maybe a little too early this year with it being up and plugged in on November 1st. I was just so ready for that cozy feeling.

The feeling that happens when you come home from work and it’s already dark outside. You could easily let that make you miserable, or at least feel that way when it’s dark before 5 p.m.. But instead you plug in that tree, hunker down under a blanket, and all seems right in the world.

I think I would keep my tree up year round if it were possible, but I also feel like it might not produce the same effect in the middle of summer. Balmy weather and Christmas tree don’t seem to go together, but I digress.

As I sit cozied up on the couch looking at my tree - feeling that peace wash over me, I turned my eyes once again toward Jesus. And I just spent some time staring at the lights and thinking about him.

“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world, he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.””

John 8:12

After reading this verse and looking at my tree I started thinking about how the two related. Comparing how I viewed the Christmas tree and its effects on me, to Jesus being the Light of life.

As I said above, I really enjoy my Christmas lights. I struggle with having so little sunlight in the winter and it can make a hard day even worse. But when I plug in that tree, its as if I’m some how able to feel hopeful in the midst of all the darkness.

And if a some little twinkling lights can have that effect on me, imagine what my life might look like if I remembered in the darkness that Jesus is the light of the world. How much brighter would my life be if I looked for his light to find peace. If I looked to his light to find hope.

As I continue to look at my Christmas tree with all it’s lights, I’m hoping that now it will remind that there is a far greater light in this world - one that will bring me true peace.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann

Christmas Is...

It’s that time of year where we all go digging through the attic or storage space to pull down the Christmas boxes. When we open those boxes we aren’t simply getting out decorations - no, we are opening a box that leads to Christmases of the past. Know what I mean?

You pull out that ornament you got when you played baseball or the ceramic christmas tree that used to be in grandma’s window and bam! Those objects take you back. Sometimes they take you to happy memories and sometimes to sad ones, but either way you are transported. Do you have a decoration that means more to you than others? What is it? Why is it so special?

I have one particular decoration that has to be out for it to be Christmas. It’s the picture frame you see above. Until that is hanging on the wall it just isn’t Christmas time.

“Christmas is goodwill and compassion, firelight and candlelight, a family time, a time for worship. It’s the glow on a child’s face. BUT MOST of ALL it is a story of love which began centuries ago and spread to all the world.”

My mother made that the year I was born. There hasn’t been a year of my life that that picture frame hasn’t been present on Christmas morning. I’ve always loved it. It draws me in year after year. The message is so simple, but I often lose sight of it as season gets going. I’m guilty, like many, of getting caught up in the bustle of the season - the shopping, the baking, the decorating. None of those things are bad, yet none hold the true meaning of the season. This year I want it to be different.

As this season starts I want to keep that message in mind. I want to focus on goodwill and compassion. I want to choose to worship in the hard situations. I want to appreciate the glow and excitement I see on the kids faces. I want to remember WHO the season is about, far more that what the season holds.

Will you join me? Will you choose to keep your eyes lifted to the heavens and see what God is going to do this Christmas season? I just have a feeling that it is going to be amazing.

To Everything There Is A Season…

Kiley Ann