Light of the World

We have had a very dark December so far, cloudy days with lots of rain and about four inches of snow! Yesterday, however, the sun  came out!  What a difference the light made coming in the windows of my house.  For one thing, I could see the dust bunnies a bit better. I had more energy and enthusiasm for my house chores and studies. Everything is better in the light.  Isaiah the prophet spoke of this is the dark days that he lived, hundreds of years before the first Christmas:

"The people who walk in darkness will see a great light;

Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them." Isaiah 9:2

The shepherds who received the announcement of the child's birth were surrounded by the light of the glory of God. The Light had come!

One of my favorite verses is II Corinthians 4:6: "For God, who said,"Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."

We need not walk in darkness any longer.

This past Sunday we went to hear our son Isaiah sing at his church and heard a song we have never heard before. The words of the chorus were especially good:

Celebrate the Child who is the Light

Now the darkness is over.

No more wandering in the night,

Celebrate the Child who is the Light....Michael Card

This Christmas season, look into the face of Christ, and celebrate the Child who is the Light!!

Our family loves Christmas lights! I tried hanging lights on our house one time without much lasting success, so we have a lot of lights in our house instead! I love the warm glow they give. We also enjoy the lights that others light their houses with, so every evening car ride becomes an oohing and ahhing time for us. Over the years we have enjoyed drinking hot chocolate while we "enjoy" the tree.  I know that you can get many flavors and types in packages in the store, but there is nothing quite like homemade! Here is a recipe that I have been making since I was 12 years old. It is simple, but delicious. You can top it with marshmallows or whipped cream and of course a peppermint stick makes a great stirrer!!

• Hot Chocolate

In a saucepan mix:  2 T. cocoa

                              3 T. sugar

                              1/4 t. salt

Stir on 1/2 cup of hot water. Bring this mixture to a boil, stirring. Add 2 cups of milk and heat, but don't boil!

Now, make your family some hot chocolate and enjoy your tree together and celebrate. The Light of the world has come!

• Blessings!
• Diana