Grateful for the Light

While on vacation at our mountain retreat last Fall, we awoke early one morning to an unexpected blanket of snow. We watched in awe as large snowflakes drifted down quietly onto the frozen tundra. In the beauty of the stillness; however, we didn't know that the weight of the snow would take down power lines. Suddenly, we were without electricity.  

We were fortunate to have a gas fireplace to keep us warm, but it was a challenge not being able to use  electrical appliances or the internet. We had to curb cell phone use, too, to preserve the batteries.    

The power should come back on soon, we thought. But it didn't. Hours later, as the light of day morphed into the blackness of an ink-washed sky, darkness set in. Everything would have been pitch black if it hadn't been for a flashlight and a few candles. We were grateful for the light.  

The darkness we experienced was small in comparison to the darkness for others. Physical darkness is one thing. Darkness can blanket the heart, too, when least expected: through tragedy, loss of income, broken relationships, grief, and other losses. Just fill in the blanks. 

This Christmas, may we be reminded of the true source of light that comes from God. To bring hope to a hurting world, He paved the way for His Son to be born in a lowly stable in Bethlehem. This little one would grow up to become the True Light of the World, Jesus Christ, sent by the Father above to bring truth, hope, and salvation to all.   

During this Christmas Season, may His light shine upon you and bring you joy and peace, despite any "power outages"--whether physical--or of the heart. 

May you rejoice in this Christmas season, grateful for the Light. 
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"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6 

"The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of truth and grace." - John 1:9-14​
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