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| My first candle holder with several years of wax coloring its sides. |
It always signaled the start of the Christmas season for us. No, I'm not talking about the Macy's parade, or black Friday, or Santa Claus arriving at the mall. It was my mom putting out the Christmas candle. The years of melted wax had covered the candle holder so that you could no longer tell it was actually a maple syrup bottle, Aunt Jemima, I think.
Every day in the month of December my mom would light that candle each time she was in the kitchen. It had become a beautiful, multi-colored part of Christmas to us. She explained that it was to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world.
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| Left to Right: My kids, Dan, Amy, my Mom, and my Mike decorating iced sugar cookies together. Notice the candle burning brightly on the table. |
Note that I said Jesus is the light of the world, not Jesus was the light of the world. No matter what is going on in the world or in your own world, Jesus doesn't change, nor does His love. Christmas is Jesus.
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| My new maple syrup bottle, all ready to shine the light and remind us of the true Light, Jesus. |
I have my own Christmas candle now. The candle holder used to be an Arizona tea bottle that the candles never quite fit properly into. This year I am excitedly retiring that bottle, because my Mike brought me a maple syrup bottle. I discovered that candles fit perfectly into it. So tomorrow the tradition continues. It's not the tradition that counts, but the meaning behind it.
May you enjoy this special season with your own traditions, and as you celebrate, may you fully understand the meaning of it all. I wish for hope, joy, and peace through Jesus Christ to you and your families!
Joyfully,
Sarah
