“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; On those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2

The week sandwiched in between Christmas and New Years is a weird one. The hype over Christmas is over. The shopping frenzy is done (or at least it’s winding down). Family returns home. Decorations seem out of place. And time seems to halt in eerie silence as a new year full of the unknown stands at the door. Though there’s a sense of accomplishment or relief that one year is complete, there is also apprehension at the unknown in a new one: What do the next 12 months hold? And will I be able to handle it?

Yes, I believe we will. As long as we allow the light of Christmas to shine long after the boxes are put away. Christmas isn’t a December 25th thing. It’s a whole year thing. It’s not a Hallmark holiday. It’s a Divine Pronouncement. Earth-shattering news for which shepherds and wise men and old priests and small children had been waiting for so very, very long. News that so many still search for today.

Without a doubt, the light of Christmas holds enough power to illuminate 2009, whatever it holds. IT DOES. And, we mustn’t be selfish. The light isn’t just for us. It’s for the real people we encounter every day. From family members who greet us at the breakfast table to checkout clerks who bags our groceries. The light ignited within the heart at Christmas is meant to spill out on the surrounding darkness every day that follows. Our words, smiles, demeanor, grace, attitude–ALL of this can be a source of light and hope and connection and relationship. And our passion for living has the potential to inspire those who despair to allow the light of Christmas to change their lives with good news, too. Hope is powerful. More powerful than we realize. And if we dare to carry hope like a lantern, there’s a good chance we’ll end up shining as a beacon of real truth to real people looking for someone to illuminate their way.

How are you going to light your world this year?