Being the light of Christ

Everyone who knows me has heard me say time and time again, I love the winter months and I love the early darkness. Out here in the country, I love the deep winter sky. The stars are brilliant and I love to gaze at them and spot a beautiful constellation or that elusive shooting star. On Christmas Eve, as midnight draws near, I like to go outside and take a look at the sky. And I can recall doing this even when I was much younger. It seems like the right time to look heaven's way and just thank God for the gift of His Son. The dark winter sky is also the perfect backdrop for the beautiful lights of colorful fireworks on a New Year's Eve.

It was a bright and beautiful light that led the Magi to the child Jesus. They followed a star all the way to find the newborn King. As we move into January a little deeper, and away from the Epiphany and toward the Baptism of the Lord, we can think about that light and decide to be the light of Christ for others.

For many, this first full week of the New Year is tough. Back to work and back to school immediately remind us that it's back to reality. We may find it hard to put thoughts of the more carefree holidays and visits with family and friends aside and try to get back into the groove. One way to make this week really awesome is to continue to focus on Jesus, the light of our lives, and to reflect His light on all we encounter this week. In fact, be light for others.

Be joyful, happy and united to the love of Christ that we more readily embrace at Christmas time as we move further and further into the new year. Keep His love alive this week and through the entire year. And when it gets a little tough personally, or a challenge comes our way, rely on Him all the more.

Today was my first day back in the saddle. It was a great day. It was good to see and help my clients, to be among all my co-workers and to share stories, when we could, of our holidays and how we spent them. And at the end of the day, before I returned home, I stopped by the Church, saw the manger scene still there and remembered, Christ is my light and I hope to be light for others all year long.

Christ be our light, shine in our hearts, shine through the darkness!!