Don't Pack Up Your Light

On the drive to my mom's house early this Sunday morning I watched as the new day began to dawn. It was dark and cloudy, but the sun was trying it's best to shine through. On this first Sunday of the New Year, I drove on and thought about Christmas being past now. Will this year be sunny and bright, or cloudy and dark? As I looked out on the clouds and sun battling as to who would win this particular day, I saw a house off to my left well lit with many strings of bright Christmas lights. I said to myself, out loud, "don’t they know Christmas is over, take down the lights and pack them away." I always take all my decorations down very quickly, the day after Christmas. It is a signal to me that the old is passed (packed) away, and the new is beginning.

As I saw those lights shining this morning, I remembered how just last night, on this very same road, I had seen the star of the east, the "Christmas star" still shining. It began to dawn on me that maybe Christmas is never really over. When wise men followed that brightly shining star so many years ago, it didn't stop shining once they reached their destination, when they reached their Christ. All the goodness and joy, all the peace, good will and love doesn't need to stop once December has come and gone. Just as once we find Jesus Christ, He never quits shining in us. We don't need to pack up our lights and go home just because the season ends. We don't need to pack up our lights just because a cloudy day comes along. Our lights need to shine with an unending glow to point others the way to find the Christ.

Those Christmas lights shining on this January morning indeed reminded me to light this dark and cloudy world with the light of Jesus. This year my light will not be packed away until someone tells me if, when or where it might be ok to shine the light of Jesus Christ. I will shine my light, even if I don't feel like it, even if someone tells me this is not the proper setting to discuss "such things". Jesus came and shined his light into this dark world for everyone. He was not ashamed to die for me I will not be ashamed to live for Him.

Matthew 5:14, 15, 16 Ye are the light of the world. A city set upon a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel; but on a candlestick and it giveth light to all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before me; that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Isaiah 66:1 Arise, shine for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

By Judy Parker
January 4, 2004