Dear friends,

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  Time for festive decorations.  Christmas lights.  Hot cocoa.  Gift shopping.  Advent.  Gathering with loved ones.

Sometimes we never want Christmas to end.  We wish it could last all year long.

Have any of you watched ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight“?  A house in Waco, Texas won this popular outdoor-decorating competition last year.  My husband snapped these photos the other night of the winning house while he was in town.

What a sight!

Our family loves driving around different neighborhoods during this time of year to look at all the bright lights and pretty Christmas decorations.

And this year in particular it got me thinking…

Cultures all around the world spend a lot of effort and time adorning their home for the holidays.  Wreaths, trees, lights, stockings, garlands, etc.

While decorating our homes is festive and fun, it’s important to remember that God also wants us to take time adorning our homes and inner selves with what He views as beautiful: LOVE, PEACE, JOY, HUMILITY, GRACE, FORGIVENESS, etc.  And not just at Christmas but ALL year long.  Throughout our entire lifetime.

He wants us to be a bright, shining light.  A beacon on a hill.  So that others may see HIM.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Christmas may come and go, but our light and our worship never has to end.  May your light shine bright this Christmas season and all throughout the year!

Watch Caleb and Aden and I sing “This Little Light of Mine” for our first advent candle lighting of the year.

Have a Merry & Bright Christmas,

Amy