On the fourth Sunday of Advent, I went to church. As they lit the candle on the Advent wreath, I took in the lights and decorations inside my church. My heart felt a bit warmer. I looked at all the lights knowing that I have to be a light in this dark world. My first reaction is to be overwhelmed. Climate crisis, pandemics, war, sitting there I felt my chest tighten from wanting to do it all. At that moment, Father Sonny's words interrupted my thoughts.
"Jesus came and saved us. We simply need to try to be like Him. That's it. We don't have to save the world. We simply have to be the light.”
It was as if Someone read my mind. Christ came down in human form because He knew He needed to be one of us for us to understand God. I know my readers are from diverse backgrounds, faiths, and belief systems. Light is the one common thread throughout the holidays. For instance, if you do a quick Google search on winter solstice, the sun is closest to the Earth at this time of year. I believe it but if the temperatures were a little warmer, that would be great. In Illinois, it is in the single digits so the sun can warm us up at any time now! Kwanza, Christmas, and Hannukah all revolve around the theme of light.
With God's message to me, I decided to make chocolate chip cookies for the local fire department. That's how I spread a little more light into the world this holiday season. I can't fix the climate, can't help every refugee, can't stop the war, but I can bake cookies for the local firefighters. So, I did! And I felt like the world was a tenth of a millimeter better because I showed appreciation.
For the record, I’m not an inspiration for baking Toll House cookies. Don’t go there.
Readers, I can't believe we are ending another year. I have the blessing of spending the entire weekend with my family and then spending New Year's at my cabin in Wisconsin with my extended family. I couldn't ask for more.
May We All Be the Light,
Hannah!
