Let Your Light Shine

I started decorating for Christmas over the weekend.  I pulled out boxes of table decor, Christmas tree bulbs, ribbons and garland, and of course lights.  As my nephews and I worked together on the lights outside, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus.  We’d just sang Jesus the Light of the World in our corporate worship services and I was still humming that tune in my head.  The street was completely dark right in front of the house because the street light has been out for a few months. No one on the end of our block had turned on their Christmas lights.  We were so excited to light up the end of the block just a little bit with our Christmas lights.  As we checked some of our lights worked others did not. Strings of lights came on and other stringed lights remained off.  There were all sort of lights in the box, old and new  some were barely shining while others were brightly shining. A few neighbors began to come outside and see what was going on and some even watched as we hung the lights.  It was amazing to see how a twinkle of a light drew people out, made them smile and take notice.  I felt like it was just like God to allow us to show the gift of light to our little part of the neighborhood.  Now even if that one street light doesn’t come back on I was reminded that God’s light is always shining on us.  Sometime our lives can be just like a string of lights in a Christmas box.  Life can get tangled and untangled.  Life can be dim at times or shine brightly.  We can have missing pieces and still work, live and play.  Jesus is the Light of the World and  Scripture reminds us,  to let our light shine so God may be glorified in Matthew 5:16.  I hope to be a light this Christmas, how about you?  I’d like to hear from you, in what ways will you be a light in a dark world or even a dark street?