Light

Tonight was the annual Candlelight service at my church.  I must say that I am so happy that the service is held prior to Christmas Eve.  If it wasn't, I would miss it all the time.  It is one of my favourite services.  Very profoundly moving.  Tonight was no exception.  There was so much talk about light and darkness, songs about light and darkness, traditional Christmas songs, and other favourite songs.  At the end of the service, the sanctuary lights were turned off and the light was passed from the Christ candle to the candles each member of the congregation held.  The light spread and the sanctuary grew warm with light.  All while we sang "Silent Night."  Truly awe-inspiring and poignant.  Pointing to the reason we celebrate - the Light has come to the world of darkness.  Thank you, Jesus, for coming to spread your light!



Another thing I did today was to finish my Christmas cards.  The picture above is what I put on the cards.  The message inside was from a song. 

Light of the world,

You stepped down into darkness….

 

King of all days

oh, so highly exalted

Glorious in heaven above

Humbly You came

To the earth You created

All for love's sake became poor.

Chris Tomlin

It was absolutely lovely to spend my day with the focus on the light of Christ.

I even took the time to continue my list of gifts.
722) watching children proclaim the powerful message of Christmas in their Christmas program at church
723) the smell of fresh ginger
724) a gift of meals of soup
725) the enthusiastic and heartfelt singing of a young girl, singing that stands out in a crowd and brings a smile to so many faces
726) morning sun ont he tops of snow-covered mountains - all that and blue sky, too
727) the complete silliness of dancing plastic flowers in the bank window - facing the drive-through lane for the ATM
728) the joy of Safeway having the gift cards I wanted to buy for Christmas --
729) which mean that I could kill 2 birds with one stone(what a gory saying!)
730) the gift of free admission passes to a Christmas event
731) the peacefulness of the city night, blanketed in freshly fallen snow
732) time with friends
733) successfully finishing a quilt block that had 51 pieces (yes 51!)
734) the joyful squeals of children enjoying sledding in the snow
735) a lesson that clicks - and students learn with delight
736) cumin
737) the satisfaction of making Christmas cards
738) each card and letter arriving in my mailbox - a symbol of the people who have been and are a part of my life - gifts to me
739) a candlelight service
740) the impact of watching the church light up as the congregation passes the light
741) a young gifl using her violin to praise God and add to the worship service
742) the flickering beauty of candlelight
743) tea with a friend - and catching up with her!