“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” Isaiah 9:2 (KJV)
“Come in, come in, I want to show you something!” Edna grabbed at my arm as I walked by her room in the nursing center where I worked. “My daughters put up a tree for me.” It was a couple of days before Christmas and we were busier than usual; I was tempted to hurry on by, to explain that I didn’t have the time. But, the look on Edna’s face told me that medical records could wait.
At 93, Edna’s grip on my arm was still firm and steady. Even though virtually blind, she skillfully led me to a small artificial tree sitting on the table next to her bed. It was decorated with homemade ornaments and a string of tiny electric lights. “It’s even more beautiful than last year,” she was exclaiming, “but you have to plug it in.” I plugged in the lights and stepped back. She was right, the little tree was transformed. “Last year,” Edna continued, “I could still see the tree but only in shadows. But this year everything is in darkness–except for the lights. She looked toward me and smiled. “But you know,” she said, “it is even more beautiful this year because I can’t see anything but the lights!” “You’re right, Edna,” I whispered, squeezing her hand. “It is one of the most beautiful trees I have ever seen.”
How like God to gently show me Christmas through Edna’s failing eyes. Christmas had become a blur over the past few weeks. I had turned my attention to the holiday whirlwind of frantic shopping, gift-wrapping, sending out cards, extra cooking and baking, holiday parties, decorating the house, everything but focusing on the Reason for it all. But God wanted only one thing from me. He wanted me to be blind to all that would distract me from seeing the Light in the stable, Jesus, the Bright Morning Star, the Light of the World.
CHRISTMAS CLUTTER
CHRISTMAS! O HEAVENLY CLUTTER OF TREASURES
THAT SURPRISE AND STARTLE ME,
GIFTS OF GLORIOUS JOY AND GRACE AND LOVE,
ABUNDANT BLESSINGS FROM HEAVEN
GUSHING LIKE A ROARING WATERFALL,
SPLASHING ABOUT,
OVERFLOWING MEASURED BUCKETS,
SPILLING INTO MY QUIET, TIDY LIFE,
LEAVING EVERYTHING IN HOLY DISARRAY,
JESUS LEAVES NOTHING UNCHANGED.