Light of the World

 

Sunrise, December 3, 2025

The darkness of the world can only be cured 

by the Light of the One who created it.

--Anonymous  

The wives were one of the topics during "the guys" meet and greet for coffee last week. Once a week, Randy meets with several buddies for breakfast at Joan's Cafe in Stafford. Randy knows that I would prefer not to be the subject of weekly topics covered by this band of buddies. Stick to the weather, guys!

He's a smart man, so he usually doesn't share when I - or the other wives - become conversation topics. I'm not naive enough to think it never happens. And I suppose I precipitated his revelation. I was making yet another snack mix for our Christmas celebrations and holiday gifts from the kitchen, and I started thinking about other people I "should" add to the list.

If I give to this person at church, shouldn't I give to that one, too? And how about her? Or him?

That's when Randy broke the covenant of silence and said, "We talked about this at breakfast this week. About how the wives want to make things perfect and make everyone happy at Christmas."

He then added the guys' perspective, with several of them chiming in that "In their day, you just had to be happy with what you got" ... so why do the wives think it should be different now? Yes, guys. And you had to walk three miles - uphill - in a snowstorm to get to school, too, right? 

I suppose that says more about the difference between guys and gals than "complaining" about their wives' propensity to try and be all things to all people. And it probably speaks to their oblivion about all their moms or grandmas were doing to make Christmas special ... yes, even back in the day. 

But as for my answer to their question? I plead the Fifth.

OK, really, I plead guilty. Every year, as Christmas approaches, I struggle with the anxiety of things needing to be perfect and wanting to be all things to all people. If I'm honest, I struggle with that feeling most of the time. 

I see all my imperfections. And I think, "If I just try really hard to make everyone happy, maybe they'll overlook this, that or the other that I find lacking in myself."

It never works because "other people" aren't the problem. The problem is me, myself and I. I'm the one who puts undue pressure on myself. 

I can sing songs about making room for the Christ Child. I can sing it. But unless I apply it, it probably doesn't do a lot of good. 

A Facebook memory came up from a K-State performance of "A Christmas Carol." In that blog post from 2014, I posted the words to one of the songs from the show:

Let the stars in the sky

remind us of man's compassion.

Let us love 'til we die

and God bless us every one.

In your heart there's a light

as bright as a star in heaven.

Let it shine through the night

and God bless us every one.

'Til each child is fed,

'Til all men are free,

'Til the world becomes a family

Star by star in the sky

and kindness by human kindness,

Let me love 'til I die and

God bless us every one.

So, "kindness by human kindness," it will take all of us to change.

Sunrise, December 3, 2025

 

Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
—James 1:17

 

Sunset, December 17, 2025

 

It would probably do me more good to go outside to experience even more of God's masterpieces at sunrise and sunset. It would likely be more productive than adding another snack mix - or some other self-imposed task - to my schedule. 

Sunset, December 17, 2025

Prayer for Reflection

God of peace, hope, joy, and love, in our Christmas preparations, may we never lose sight of the meaning of the season. Help us ready our hearts to receive your Son and show His light to all. Together we pray. Amen.

God Bless Us Everyone.