I’ve never been very good at “mind over mattress” in the mornings. These dark days are a real challenge. And yet – there’s something very special about light in the darkness. Christmas decorations; flickering candles; a real fire.
Christmas brings darker days than usual this year. Job losses; poor sales; shrunk savings… So is that it? The Christian faith says No! You’re worth it! Life really is worth living. There is hope. Not because the darkness isn’t dreadfully dark; not because Jim or anyone else can just fix it; but because the dark is only a cloud crossing a universe that is wonderfully and beautifully made.
Its Maker is no distant deity but right here with us, light in our darkness: in the deep beauty of the world; in the amazing life of Jesus the Christ; in the transforming work of the Spirit. And His will be the last word. That’s hope!
It only takes one small candle to illuminate a cathedral; one small word of love to illuminate a life; one whispered prayer to open our hearts to God’s peace. Every one of us every day faces a thousand moments when we can light up a life, our own and others. The smallest of words, of deeds, of prayers, of thoughts: every one makes a difference, and every one is a present beyond price that even the deepest depression can never take from us. So have a really Happy Christmas – you, and everyone.
Filed under: Magazine articles , Christmas
