“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.“ ~ Matthew 5:16
Don’t you just love lights? I know I sure do. I love the way a soft light at night in a few rooms throughout the house lights the pathway in the dark.
I love twinkling lights, clear lights, up lights, lights shining on trees, lights in landscaping, and just about any light on a house at Christmas time. There’s something gentle and beautiful when you drive down the streets and towns looking at the beautiful array of Christmas lights. It gives a sense of peace and hope.
As we start to feel a chill and crispiness in the air, trees and lights begin to go up, and the Christmas season begins. Every year as I have this joy and hope during this beautiful time of year, I can’t help but think about those who aren’t so excited about the season. Those who are alone and those who have lost loved ones. Those who are sick, those who are homeless, parentless, or childless. This all came into my heart as I listened to the first Christmas Carol this season when I was in my car on the way home one day. I thought, “There are people out there that this time of year is a time of sorrow and loneliness.” How can I help? How can we be a light at Christmas and all through the year?
When I look back over the years, I see how Christmas has become so commercialized that the true meaning of Christmas seems to be almost forgotten. I believe it is vital, as a Christian, to make sure we celebrate and honor the birth of Jesus during this special time of year and throughout the year. Take time out of your busy schedule to just sit and look at the lights and reflect on the birth of our Savior, who came into this world for us!
One of the most amazing and vital parts of being a part of God’s family is helping others. When we’re in a relationship with God, He wants us to welcome His love to flow through us and into other people’s lives. Saying “yes” to God’s call to help others unleashes love into the world. Helping others is a gift to us as much or more than it is to the one we are helping. There is an unspeakable joy released in the heart of both the giver and the receiver.
When you look at the Bible, you find several scriptures on serving the needs of others. Jesus said, “…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.” When we put others first in our lives and look out for them, we are being the hands and feet of Jesus. We begin to take on His very nature. When we allow Holy Spirit to work through us, we begin to look differently to the world so that others will glorify our father in heaven.
Just as there are many different types and colors of lights, so are there many ways to be the light. Sometimes just walking down the street or going through the grocery store, just say “hello” or even just a smile can brighten someone’s day.
Proverbs 11:25 tells us:
“Generous people will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”
Not only are we told to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, but we are also to help the poor and needy. You certainly don’t have to look far to find someone in need.
Our loving father wants to give to us abundantly. Proverbs 19:17 says,
“Those who are gracious to the poor lend to the Lord, and the Lord will fully repay them.“
Sometimes we have to look beyond ourselves to see the needs of others. What does it hurt to ask someone if they need help? If they would like to come over for Christmas dinner? If they would like to go grab a cup of coffee? Acts of kindness show the love of Christ. Don’t you think we all could use more of that in the world today?
As a child, my parents wanted me to understand that Christmas wasn’t just about gifts. It was about Jesus’ birth and serving others. They showed this to me by inviting those who were alone over for Christmas dinner and made them feel like part of the family.
There are so many opportunities to be lights at Christmas! Take an older person for a ride in your car to look at the Christmas lights. Be a light in the darkness and watch the light spread. Watch it become something you absolutely love to do and do it more often. Let’s let Jesus fill our hearts for others this season and into the new year. Ask Him to point out someone who is all alone or in need. Someone who is brokenhearted. Someone who just had surgery. Someone who is depressed. He will lead you to just the right person to be a light to. Be a light at Christmas this year, and let’s watch His lights spread throughout the world straight from His heart through ours!
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive.“ ~ Acts 20:35
May the love of Christ fill your heart this Christmas season and throughout the coming year.
Beth Nahkala
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#bethnahkalablogs
