NOW WHAT?

Christmas is over.  Yeah, there are still a few family gatherings, but December 25 is behind us. 

The shepherds have returned to their flocks.

County basketball games are starting.

Kids are spending their gift cards.

The Wise Men are still following that star.

All those decorations have to be put away.

AND

Hallmark Christmas movies have moved into the rerun category and Winterfest movies begin next weekend.

Hopefully, you realize the above was written as sarcasm, but the question still remains:

CHRISTMAS IS OVER – NOW WHAT?

Now what?  I need a battery.

Christmas Eve service was almost over.  We were to take communion, pick up a candle, and turn it on when we began to sing Silent Night.  Everyone was in a circle around the sanctuary.  The lights were dimmed.  The music began:  Silent Night, Holy Night,…

  

MY CANDLE DID NOT WORK!  It would not turn on.  Yes, we use battery operated candles and I like that.  No smoke.  No candle wax dripping.  No fires when little Billy gets too close to Miss Mary’s scarf.   (Just an example.  Bill did not catch anything on fire.)

I looked around and there were a couple other people with the same problem – no light.  A friend, standing next to me, was in the same boat and we got the giggles.  A very solemn, respectful time and we were trying hard to giggle quietly.  It was then we opened up our candles.

Empty!  No batteries!  An usher realized the problem and brought replacement candles to us.  He gave one to a young lady and one to the giggling gentleman to my left.  HE ONLY BROUGHT TWO!  He ran out!  I was still a dark spot in a room softly glowing, with All Is Calm, All is Bright coming from the lips of everyone around the room. 

My sweet hubby (aka little Billy) held his candle out for me (aka Miss Mary) to hold with him.  A shared light.

Isn’t that what we are?  A shared light?

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12

On our own, we are like the candle with no battery.  With the light of Jesus, we are His light so all can see.

I put batteries in and – by golly – LIGHT.

Just think.  If two small, AAA batteries will light a candle which can be seen across a sanctuary…

Just think.  If the human eye, according to various big thinkers, can see the light of a candle at a distance of 2.76 kilometers (1.7149844906 miles)….

Just think how far the LIGHT OF JESUS will carry --- 

Acts 13:47- from The Message:  Paul and Barnabas spoke to the Jews and ended with: 

It was required that God’s Word be spoken first of all to you, the Jews.  But seeing that you want no part of it – you’ve made it quite clear that you have no taste or inclination for eternal life – the door is open to all the outsiders.  And we’re on our way through it, following orders, doing what God commanded when he said,

I’ve set you up as light to all nations.

You’ll proclaim salvation to the four winds and seven seas!

When the non-Jewish outsiders heard this, they could hardly believe their good fortune.  All who were marked out for real life put their trust in God – they honored God’s Word by receiving that life.  And this Message of salvation spread like wildfire all through the region.

Don’t worry about those batteries --- The door is open.

Grab the Light of Jesus and proclaim away!!!