Optional Scripture: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 (lectionary text)

“You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Mathew 14a, 16a

There is a popular modern Christian song that says if we are not the light of the world who will be? By saying “we”, it is talking about Christians. Being the light does not just mean doing good for others. Anybody can do good works. But, the light is in us. It is the Holy Spirit that we received when we repented to God. So, we are the only ones that can let our light shine before men. We show our light by our works, our conversation, and our demeanor. Showing Gods love is a continuous action from the moment that we accept him into our hearts. It can’t be like a light switch in the sense that we can turn it on or off. Showing God’s love is our duty as Christians so that the whole world will see us, wonder what is different about us, and hope/pray that they can receive the same light.

It is my prayer that we truly shine God’s light in this holiday season and in our lives so that everyone can experience the joy that we have in Jesus.

Optional Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10 (lectionary text)

These verses from Isaiah begin by comparing the new king to a new tree sprouting from a stump, new life from what had been cut down and left for dead.

The next few verses describe what this new king will be like, what he will do, how he will rule. He will be Different. “He will not judge by appearance or hearsay; he will judge the poor fairly and defend the rights of the helpless”…Very Different!

Finally, his kingdom is described…talk about Different : wolves and sheep, lions and calves, poisonous snakes and babies, all living together in peace. How can this be? Remember the parables of Jesus which begin “The Kingdom of God is like…”? It is God’s Peace, His Kingdom. But it’s not something we wait for only in the sweet-bye-and-bye; it can be here, now, within each of us.

I have been on many mission trips over the years. All of them have involved people Doing Different, Being Different, catching glimpses of the Peace of God, the Kingdom of God. I remember one time our youth went to West Palm Beach. We were in a rough neighborhood littered with drug paraphernalia and debris. Our task was to clean the yard and sidewalk around an elderly lady’s house. People threw trash in her yard and she felt helpless. We picked up, mowed, pruned, and even uncovered remnants of flowerbeds she used to be able to care for. We spent time visiting with her and sharing why we were there.

Before we left, we were approached by the man who ran a tiny grocery store across the street. He was so impressed by what our group had done, he offered cool drinks and snacks. Then some of our youth asked him if he would join us in prayer. So there in the middle of the street was the grocer, the elderly lady, several neighbors, and us, holding hands in a big circle and praying for each other and the neighborhood! Do you think God’s Peace, God’s Kingdom, was present? …I Do.

Optional Scripture: John 8:12 (theme selected text)

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

We live in a world with light at our fingertips. All we have to do is flip a switch. Jesus is talking about a different kind of light. Out world is filled with the darkness of the soul. People are walking around with hopelessness in their hearts. We have so many material things that people can cover up their inner darkness, unaware that material things do not satisfy the heart’s longings.

II Cor. 4:4 “The God of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is in the image of God.” The natural man is unable to receive spiritual light because he lacks the capacity for spiritual things. Only a spiritual birth changes that capacity. Jesus Christ is the illuminator of men’s hearts.

We as believers have a responsibility to share the light of Jesus with those who are in a spiritual darkness. We are given opportunities every day to shed light on darkness. We are given a promise by Jesus that as we follow Him, we will not walk in darkness. Do others see that light in our lives as we speak it and live it? Do people notice that we have been with Jesus? Are we listening to the Spirit of God when we are given an opportunity to share God’s love?

Eph. 2:10 “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” May we use this special time of the year to spread the light of God’s love.

Optional Scripture: Psalm 18:28 (theme selected text)

When Sara Lynn Milton “invited” me to help with the Mission House, because they needed someone younger, I was flattered. (Younger was definitely a relative term!) And who can say NO to Sara Lynn. I had no idea how this ministry would bless me. As a hostess, I checked on the house before and after guests and provided a special treat for each arrival. The small house with a BIG HEART began to touch me in special ways. Then Sara Lynn “turned over the chair” of the Mission House to Betty Shell and me. By collaborating through issues, I have a new and treasured friend. Doing reservations, I have “met” some incredible people who share or have shared their lives around the globe spreading the love of Christ. Some are in such dangerous situations that the messages back and forth must be carefully worded so as the word Missions or Missionaries doesn’t appear. Couples with young children come for a vacation – one they would not be able to afford otherwise. Retired missionaries who have spent 30+ years on the mission field revisit the house for renewal. Chaplains come after deployment. I am often asked how many the house can sleep. I just give them the sleeping arrangements and let them decide. You would be amazed at how many “fit” sometimes. Couples come to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, reunions, and I could go on and on.

The House is small and old, but inviting, comfortable and warm, and a place where the guests can exhale and relax as soon as they open the door. God has revealed Himself to me in many ways through this ministry, and I thank Him for allowing me to be a part of this ministry; serving those who serve Him.

Side note: The Mission House was reserved for 240 days in 2013 and there are already about 10 reservations for 2014 with others pending!

Optional Scripture: Ephesians 5:8

As a child, we’re taught a song that you probably know very well, This Little Light of Mine. If you ask a child, they can five you a very clear interpretation of what the song means. However, the song is often overlooked when teaching a more mature audience about being the light of Christ for people in need.

According to the song, as Children of God, we all have a light. Believe it or not, everyone may not be completely aware of their light, or maybe their light is too dim for them to see. By letting your light shine, you can help someone else allow their to shine. Let your light shine.

Optional Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44 (lectionary text)

What are you doing to serve God? What are you doing to thank him for all that he has given you?

We all have unique gifts and strengths. Jesus wants us to use these gifts for good. Sometimes it is hard to recognize your specific gifts and can be even harder figuring out how to use them.

A while back, the pastor put out a challenge to really dig deep and do something special to bring joy to someone. This challenge really tugged on my heart and it just happened that our church was doing the service at Magnolia Manor that Sunday. I decided to attend the service and to bring little cut flowers. I got Lexi to help me, and she handed out the flowers to all the residents. I will never forget the smiles and joy that she brought to them with that simple act of kindness. Lexi loved giving the flowers out, would answer their questions (regarding her name and age), and even gave hugs. I was so proud of her that day. I quickly learned that my kids are one of my gifts. They are lights of hope for the future.

Wendy Alberson

I love going to the nursing home with my mom. We sing songs and spend time with the people. Sometimes I bring flowers or make them cards. They smile when they see me and want to give me hugs. It feels good to do something nice for somebody. I think God likes that.

Love, Lexi Alberson (age 9)

Optional Scripture: Romans 13:11-14 (lectionary text)

Christmas is a wonderful time of year! We spend time with family and enjoy giving gifts to those we love. God loved us and gave us the greatest gift of all – His Son Jesus.

Christmas is also a time of loneliness and hopelessness for many people around the world. There are many people suffering in our world with illness, hunger, financial problems, loss of homes, and tragedies from natural disasters. Many people are losing faith and hope.

As Christians, we should try to give the gifts of love and hope to those in need. We can demonstrate the love of Jesus through our efforts to help others. We can also share the Good News of Jesus and bring a greater sense of Hope into their lives. This gift of hope can truly change lives.

We have many opportunities to help others and to give hope to the hopeless in our own area. We can prepare meals and deliver them for the Hearts and Hands Ministry. What a blessing to receive a warm, sweet smile and gentle, soft-spoken “thanks” from an elderly arthritic shut-in! We can give gifts to children when parents cannot afford to buy them. What a blessing to see the excitement and joy in the eyes of a 4 year old at Head Start when our Sunday School class brings gifts of love and hope! We can help with the Boys and Girls Club where there are needs. What a blessing to receive a big hug from a little 5 year old because you gave her your love and your time!We can help prepare meals and serve them to the hungry people at Manna House in Brunswick. What a blessing to hear the many thanks and to see smiles and hope just because you shared your love and time to help feed them!

Sharing scriptures of Hope may also be encouraging to those we help:

Romans 15:13 “ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you
trust in Him, so you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Isaiah 40:31 “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They
will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk
and not be faint.”

I pray that we will continually seek ways to bless others and bring the Light of Christ to them. With God’s Power working through us, our gifts of Hope can change lives!

Optional Scripture: Psalm 122 (lectionary text)

What is your life’s mission? In other words – what is the core motivation that drives your daily thoughts and actions?

This is a potent question to ponder, especially during the Christmas season. Time moves swiftly over the circumferences of our lives. It is imperative, as believers in Christ, that our individual and collective life missions are worthy of Him.

Like everyone, I have been in some thin places. Always, the Body of Christ has been there to support, encourage, affirm, guide – whether it was a note, a meal, tickets to a ball game, vacation lodging, a sermon, or healing words during a round of golf.

God’s Word is ripe with mission statements: Go and make disciples. Baptize. Teach. Bind up the broken hearted. Give sight to the blind. Be a light on a hill. Bear one another’s burdens. Be a vessel of honor, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

These statements all say the same thing – Love God. Love People.

That is our mission – let your light SHINE – Merry Christmas!

Optional Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5 (lectionary text)

Families gather around the Christmas tree and begin to decorate, beginning with the lights. The lights on the tree are followed by the rest of the ornaments, which reflect the light and make the tree aglow.

In the bible, Matthew 5:14 states, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.” Here, Jesus basically tells us that we were made to stand out in the world. Okay, got it. What else? According to Isaiah 2:2, Jerusalem “shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it.” Isaiah prophesies that Jerusalem shall be the future house of God, where everyone shall learn the ways of the Lord. Jesus is saying more than just that we are meant to stand out. He is saying that we are like Jerusalem on the hill, unable to be hidden, and that we will attract people through our charity. As it says in Matthew 4:16, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works.” Light often times is symbolized as goodness and virtue. To share this light with others is to do good unto them and show them love and pure kindness.

As my way of sharing light, I sponsor a child in Costa Rica. The sponsorship, organized through a Christian mission organization, pays for her school materials and meal products for her family. It is my hope the light I have shone on Maria leads her into the light, both in goodness and knowledge. To incorporate the Christmas theme and tie in my opening statements, I’m leaving you with this: we are the Christmas lights, and the ornaments are the people we impact, who now have a light of their own to shine and share with others.