Outside Lights

Hello Hatter,

For more than two decades, my family has decorated the outside of our house in a BIG way for Christmas. If you remember tether ball poles, you’ll kind of understand the height of what I’m about to describe.

We take that pole, which is cemented into an old tire, and roll it to the center of our corner lot. We then string blinky lights from the top and down to the ground, creating a grand tree with a star on top and a manger scene at the base. It has been a source of joy for our family and neighbors for sure.

With the illnesses we’ve experienced this year, it is doubtful that the outside will be decorated.

I‘ve written previously about singing alto in our church cantata, “Everlasting Light.” My voice sounds more like a scratchy bass than a harmonious alto, so I may not be able to sing in it either.

Not having outdoor Christmas lights and not singing in the cantata are two things that are not turning out the way I expected. Disappointment filled my soul.

Yesterday, the commonality of both things having to do with lights struck me deep inside. We may not have outside lights and I might not be able to sing in the cantata, but the light of Jesus is inside of me. Whether we twinkle outside or whether I sing with the choir, does not define how I celebrate Jesus this season. He is not surprised at the turn of events even though I am.

So it’s up to me. Do I rejoice or do I complain? Do I choose to twinkle with His Light or remain dull?

I pray the lesson is not wasted and even if things are different and some traditions have to change, I want to share the Light. “Please God, use my talents and my gifts to glorify You this Christmas and beyond.“

Hugzzzzzz,

MT