The Light Shines Forth

It’s been a year where frill has given way to necessity, adornment to basic. As the HOLYDAYs approached, my festive decoration remained boxed up in storage, except for one countertop staple — a tiny wooden CHRISTmas stable. Doesn’t matter how different this year is, one reality remains the same. The celebration of our God given, Baby Jesus Savior brightly dawns, regardless of any, and all, deep darkness.

This day, three of my young grandchildren will drive ten long hours to visit. In years past, this Grammy’s house has always been decked out with garland, glitter and glowing lights galore to welcome their loving hearts. A few days ago, I began to question this year’s less than festive abode. Should I do a fast and frantic “get the house ready as usual” re-make? Instant answer came from God, not this wanting to “make magical” Grammy intentions. No, I would not camouflage this year with holiday garnish. It would be highlighted by revealing, not hiding, the true meaning and message of CHRISTmas. It was time, and my honor, to instill this gift in my young grandbabies’ souls. My miniature wooden creche, alone, would deliver this great tiding of comfort and joy.

The lesson to be shared: Baby Jesus was born on earth and opened the Gates of Heaven so we could live forever with God. On that very first CHRISTmas night, only God’s light illuminated the way to meet Baby Jesus. This year God carried one of our family members up to the open Gates of Heaven and welcomed him home. Just as God’s light was the sole marker of Baby Jesus’s arrival on earth, this Grammy has chosen only the guiding soul light of Baby Jesus’s manger to celebrate our loved one’s arrival into Heaven. Heaven, alone, is the truest, “best-est” and most precious and sparkling gift ever given or received. This year, Grammy’s house is not wrapped up in holiday, earthly festive appearance. It is unwrapped in God’s HOLYDAY, Heavenly Son.

The saying goes: children learn what they live. My grand-little-ones will be learning and living the true meaning and message of CHRISTmas this year. No better daily life, or eternal living, gift could ever be shared.