A Season of Light
For me, the seasons of Thanksgiving and leading up to Christmas, bring a sense of peace.
The day winds down quickly as it gets darker earlier. While I enjoy time for coziness next to the Christmas tree lights, I realize not everyone finds joy here. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and forget about just being together with friends and family. It’s easy to lose that peace I mentioned earlier.
Entering this season, I want to be kind to myself. I want you to be kind to yourself too. It’s okay to stop and rest during this season. It’s okay to not be all the things to all the people.
Matthew 2 starts by telling the well-known story where the Magi went off to visit the Messiah after his birth. They had orders from King Herod to find the Messiah. Herod felt threatened and didn’t have a great complex. On their way to find Baby Jesus, they followed the Star of Bethlehem to the location of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
In the end, it all worked out according to plan. Of course, because it’s God and He is capable of all things! All things are all things.
Grace arrived into our story when Jesus was born. While there was much praising, there was a false motive present through King Herod. He attempted to use the Magi to silence the birth of Jesus but they outsmarted him. Jesus ended up receiving all of the true praise. Isn’t that how God always works? Even when it seems like a mess with no way out, God works things for our good and His glory.
This story and the story of the Magi remind me of why I love the Christmas season. I had written in my Bible, this quote -
“No matter how dark the night, Jesus brings HOPE.”
I may be all about some Christmas lights and decorations, but I think what brings me joy is the Hope in the season. The lights on my Christmas tree, the lights draped on the front porch garland, and the light from the candles in the windows truly light up the darkest night. Even these don’t compare to the light Jesus brings.
The reminder that I have the same Hope available to me now, just like the Magi received two thousand years ago, seals the deal for me. That same Hope and Peace is available to you.
Just like a candle lights up a dark room. Just like some Christmas lights light up your porch. May you receive that same light this season. May you get the opportunity to simply sit in the quiet and peace of all that God is for you and me.
