Devotions

By Joan Oliphant

“You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:14-16)

Growing up, my father grew cedar trees and every Christmas, we would go into our woods and cut down a cedar tree for our house.  Cedar trees are definitely not the softest of evergreens, but their fragrance is one that is unmistakable and every year would fill our house with that aromatic cedar scent.  We would decorate the tree with lights, ornaments, and tinsel and then marvel at the light that illuminated the room when we turned on the lights.  I would spend many hours just enjoying those twinkling lights, anticipating the arrival of Santa Clause.  Many years later, I still enjoy decorating my Christmas trees, and the sounds and smells of Christmas, but the lights remind me of a much more important event to anticipate – the coming of Jesus Christ.  Not only as a babe in the manger, but in his triumphant return at the end of this age.  In this Christmas season, as the lights of the Christmas tree illuminate our houses, may we think about how Jesus illuminates our hearts, and the need for us to let our light shine for all to see so that we can share the love of Jesus and illuminate the lives of others.