The Light of Christ and a neighborhood filled with luminaries

Christmas.

It is a special time of year for many, and yet, a difficult time for others. While some are immersed in the joy of Christ’s birth, others find themselves stuck in the mire of the crucifixion.

During this year of mercy, we are asked to live and breathe the gospel message. What does that mean for us? It necessitates that we walk the walk of our faith, but that we meet others where they are. It means speaking with gentleness and giving with a servant’s heart. It means embracing the Light of Christ and illuminating the path toward Heaven for others as well as for ourselves.

During Mass on Christmas Eve, the lights were dimmed in our church and we sang Silent Night while the nativity was illuminated. Sometimes the world seems so dark and painful, but the Christ Child has brought with Him the light.

 

The Nativity at our church

On the way back from Mass, we stumbled upon an entire neighborhood alight with luminaries lining every street and every driveway. The parkway was filled with thousands of tea lights in paper bags. It was breathtaking. It was peaceful. It was the embodiment of Silent Night.

Thousands of luminaries filled the streets
of one local neighborhood!

I asked my husband to stop the car and I asked a man standing on the street how the neighborhood had organized such an undertaking. He said that he had no idea how the candles had gotten there, but that it was such a wonderful and beautiful blessing to him.

Whoever planned this remarkable gift clearly had the Light of Christ in their hearts. Those luminaries were seeking me, pulling me, begging me to come to the manger that night. They calmed my weary soul. They renewed my spirit. They engaged my heart and brought me to my knees ~ for such a simple light, when multiplied, illuminated the entire neighborhood. How much more can we illuminate the path for others when we do as Mother Theresa said, “small things with great love?"

This Christmas, do something small. Say hello on the street, drop off brand-new mittens and a hat to the homeless shelter, buy someone a cup of coffee, offer a hug to someone who looks like they may need one, let someone go in front of you in line, smile at the weary cashier. Be the Light of Christ as we remember the infant Jesus.

Wishing you peace this Christmas!

The nativity at my parents' house.