Lights — the Gift of the Season

What’s the first word that comes to your mind when you think of Christmas?

I asked myself this question as I was trying to come up with something meaningful to blog about on Christmas Eve – curious to hear what I would say. Well, of course there wasn’t just one word – there’s parties and trees and festive food, shopping, and presents and of course the birth of Jesus.

Then one word that stood out – surprised me at first, then as I thought about it – not really. That one word is Light. Light is pretty much what I see when I think about the other words that came to mind, except for maybe sometimes shopping. And, this word —  Lightfor me is a word that actually means Love. Perhaps even Divine Love.

I guess my awareness of Light began as a child with the story of Jesus – considered to be the brightest light given to mankind. As the story is told, his birth was accompanied by the Light of a visit from angels as well as the light of a star that guided the journey of wise men bringing gifts to Jesus. See, it’s all about Light.

They say Jesus was the son of God. Then, since the Bible says we are created in the image and likeness of God, I take this to mean that you and I, in fact all humans, must also be the daughter or son of God.

There is at least one huge difference I see between Jesus life and mine – he remembered he was a creation of the Divine, the Light, the Love. His life is the example I need of how to be a divine creation. Sometimes, I forget – well actually, a lot of times I forget.

This is why I love this season – why I need this season. I am reminded to stop, take time to remember, or should I say to stop forgetting, that Divine Light is always within me as well – even when my actions cover it up. It is a time for me to remember, too, that everyone is Light no matter how they may be covering it up at the moment. I have the thought that maybe if I look for the light in others instead of judging them, it will make it easier for them to reach for the Light within them too.

This is the
Season of Light

Whether we celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, or even Diwali earlier in the fall, all these celebrations are about Light. I love the Hanukkah Festival of Lights story about the one-day supply of oil miraculously lasted 8 days to light all seven candles on the Menorah. Sounds like Divine Light to me. Diwali is also a festival of Lights symbolizing the inner Light that protects from spiritual darkness.

Now I know why my one word is Light. This is a time of accepting the Light and embracing the Divine within me and you. And, with this remembering we are open to be filled with it and to give it out into the world

The child in me – and probably the child in you — loves the holiday season. I love seeing the Lights on houses, the Lights on the Christmas tree in my living room, the festive times getting together with friends and families. And, the little girl in me especially likes her time alone – her time to be quiet and feel the warmth of the Light in her heart.

My wish for you is that the child living in your heart too be filled with the Divine Light of Love this season.

4 Comments

  1. Mike on December 24, 2017 at 5:42 pm

    Mardi, Love your outlook! The season brings us many gifts of remembrance and hope for the future! The lights of the season shine on us from many directions and sources….Thanks for your thoughts! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

  2. Mardi Kirkland on December 24, 2017 at 5:52 pm

    Mike, I really appreciate your comments. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you!

  3. Mary Ann on December 24, 2017 at 6:58 pm

    Such a beautiful statement about the meaning of the season. Well done!!! Merry Christmas.

  4. Claudia Bubeck on December 24, 2017 at 11:45 pm

    Mardi, this was just what I needed. My mother just died. It’s a big change. We had many problems. But I know she had a good long life (104) and was pain-free and at peace.
    Thank you for your wise and kind comments.

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