During this Advent season, how are you shining your light?
At the end of December 2020, I wrote “One Word 2021: What Does it Mean to Shine Your Light?”
I had chosen Light for my One Word and Matthew 5:16 NIV as my One Verse.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The Light of Hope
With the pandemic having overshadowed most of 2020, Light was needed more than ever. We needed Hope.
Even as numbers climbed and new variants emerged, Hope was still visible. Hope is that expectation or anticipation that something good is about to happen. Or maybe it’s something we long for. Despite the headlines, rising numbers in COVID cases, and other depressing issues happening around us, Hope is still alive. We simply need to look up to allow Hope’s Light to shine upon our faces.
And now with 2021 coming to a close, I wanted to pause and consider what my One Word meant to me.
With the pandemic having overshadowed most of 2020, Light was needed more than ever. We needed Hope. #tellhisstory #Advent #hope Share on X
The Light of Peace
I sat in my comfy writing chair, watching the fireplace, and contemplated the beginning of Advent. A time of coming. Of great expectation. I read my Advent devotional and pondered what was going through Mary’s mind as the angel gave her the message of God’s favor upon her. But once I closed the book and moved from my chair, a heaviness rested on my shoulders.
Here’s the thing—I love Christmas. I love the gift of Jesus. I love the Nativity story. I love the beauty of the season with the lights, music, and sense of wonder. I don’t even mind holiday shopping. I’m not sad or depressed. However, there’s one aspect of the season that seems to get to me more and more as I grow older—decorating.
The thought of dragging our artificial tree out of storage along with the totes and totes of decorations made me sigh deeply. Even though I wanted to pull the covers over my head, I climbed out of bed and got to work.
I added ornaments we’ve been putting on the tree for over thirty years and turned on the lights. Peace spread through me. I brewed a fresh cup of tea, streamed my favorite Christmas music station, and watched the angel tree topper light up.
Once the tree was decorated and the lights sparkled in the evening, I was happy to put in the work. But it was getting to that point…
The Light of Joy
This past year, I tried to live by my values—faith, family, and friendship. I wanted to deepen my relationship with Jesus by digging into His Word and praying bold prayers. I wanted those around me to know I was a Christian without me telling them. I wanted the Light of the Lord to shine from the inside out. I wanted my family to know how much they were loved—not just by me, but also by God. I wanted to deepen my friendships. As I contemplate what’s in store for 2022, I know one thing—God will be with me. His Light will help to share the God-infused joy in my heart.
I wanted the Light of the Lord to shine from the inside out. How are you shining your light during Advent? #light #tellhisstory #Advent Share on X
The Light of Love
To do that, I need to love unconditionally even when I don’t feel like it. I need to show kindness without expecting anything in return. I need to continue shining my light especially when it’s hard. I need to pray without ceasing even if it feels like my words are bouncing off the ceiling. Most of all, I need to keep trusting and know God is on the throne, no matter the circumstances playing out in my life.
As you prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior during this Advent season, invest in the peace, hope, joy, and love to help you shine your light all year long.
So, how are you shining your light during Advent?
Share your story at the Tell His Story linkup. Be encouraged by like-minded friends! #tellhisstory #linkup #blogging Share on XJeanne and I will be taking a holiday break for the rest of the month. The #TellHisStory linkup will return in January.
Merry Christmas, and have a blessed holiday!
Lisa, thank you for the reminder to “keep trusting and know God is on the throne, no matter the circumstances playing out in my life. ” May God’s peace, love, hope, joy, and light fill your heart and family this Christmas!
Thank you, Joanne. Trusting is so much easier to talk about, but when we put our faith in God and be active in trusting Him, His Light will shine through us. Merry Christmas!
That’s my hope as well, that the light of Christ will shine through me, that He will give me the words as well as the best actions and reactions. I try to pray every morning that He would fill me with His Spirit, then I name the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 as a reminder to myself.
Barbara, I love that practice.
Barbara, I love that! I created my blogging schedule for 2022. I’m blogging about the Fruits of the Spirit, focusing on one virtue per month. Merry Christmas!
I am also taking a short break this month and look forward to a rest. I hope you and Jeanne are rejuvenated and refreshed!
Thank you, Michele. I hope you have a wonderful holiday and return ready to honor Him with your words in 2022.
In order to be a light, we have to stay close to our Source—our oxygen. It takes discipline to learn to breathe our Source when we’re used to breathing in anger, unkind words, or petty thoughts. I’m a student. But I’m learning!
Anita, you are so right. Staying close to the source keeps our light fueled and bright. Merry Christmas!
I love that so many of us are talking about The Light this week.
How we yearn for His coming.
Merry Christmas, dear Lisa and Jeanne!
Linda, Light is so essential to our existence. Staying connected to the source like Anita mentioned keeps us focused on living the way He teaches. Merry Christmas!
Thank you, Lisa, for the reminder to be the Light for others to see. Advent offers us a unique experience to show Christ’s light to those around despite uncertainty and trial.
Donna, with others watching us, it’s so important to keep our lights burning bright, isn’t it? Merry Christmas!
Oh I understand the drag in setting the decorations Lisa!
I find it difficult when it’s only hubby & I now.
But I will do the same as you today
in setting it all up for family coming this weekend.
Shining His Light is my desire & prayer each day.
I pray you have a wonderful Christmas with your family Lisa & see you in January!
Blessings,
Jennifer
Jennifer, I hope you find joy in the task and soak in the memories made with your family. Merry Christmas!
Great post! There’s so much darkness in the world – we really need to shine his light. Hope you have a lovely Christmas!
Thank you, Lesley. Hopefully, by shining our lights, we can illuminate the dark so others can see how Jesus can brighten their lives. Merry Christmas!
In looking-glass I see it clearly,
my fate ‘neath cancer’s fell sentence,
and though I love the custom dearly,
can One Word make a difference,
or is it all just sloganeering,
in the ashes making merry
to banish all that I am fearing,
a whistle past the cemetery?
And yet, and yet… there must be truth,
a word-connection to tomorrow,
and there’s a word that’s shining proof
that laughter always trumps the sorrow,
and though I’m likely going soon,
my word today shall be MACNOON.
Macnoon is Egyptian Arabic for crazy.
“Laughter always trumps the sorrow.” So true. Thank you again for your creativity and wisdom laced in your words, Andrew. Merry Christmas!
Being a light in a dark world, that is my hope. And not just to everyone else, but also to my family member every day. We need more light in our world. And we Need Him to help us shine.
Yes, Theresa. So true–shining His light is a partnership between us and God. Merry Christmas!