In Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus states: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”
Merry Christmas to the whole of the Earth as we let our Light shine!
Bill Gaither , an icon, for many years has given the whole of the earth Light through his music, words and deeds and it’s always the perfect light and timing. When I heard his new song, (play below) “The Darker the night the Brighter the Light,” for our season 2022 Christmas arose from the depth of my soul to declare this is the season of Our Dear Savior’s Birth.
Retail stores, malls and courthouse lawns in our communities may be silent or total darkness on the reason for the Christmas season.
What about us, the Star of the dark nights, fluorescent by day and candle by twilight? Or, are we hiding out beneath the “sharing bench” often call familiarity? Or Santa sharing from the very places in the retail stores we are calling dark until the opportunity passes by to be the light that changed the sight of the blind and opened an ear to the melody of truth.
I hope you listen to Gaithers new song and BATHE IN THE TRUTH of just who you are and the power within you to change the dark of the night with your light!🌠
thedailylily.com 
I think the video was also a good illustration of the Light.. The words of the song were a powerful Light.
The tune “opened an ear to the melody of truth” per Sara’s words above.
Each singer and musician had a unique and individual part, gift, Light. But when they put them all together in one unity and purpose, the Light shone really bright to convey the message. Even those in the audience added a “candle by twilight? “ (Sara’s quote above) to further add illustration to the meaning of the song.
“so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” . It does take effort, time, resources to make light. I think this verse makes it clear that hands, feet, diligent use of our gifts is needed for “good works” to occur.
Amen Debi… “so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”.It does take effort, time, resources to make light. I think this verse makes it clear that hands, feet, diligent use of our gifts is needed for “good works” to occur.”
Now, this looks like the best investment a person could make. Seems to make Vegas look dim!
Do you remember a phrase often quoted, “put your money where your mouth is.” I think this was/is the meaning…”The phrase put your money where your mouth is means invest your money in what you believe or act on what you claim.”
I read this week a devotional published by a church leader and author, “Even if our traditional religious architecture crumbles—physically or conceptually—even then God can raise something beautiful from the rubble.”
—Brian McLaren, The Great Spiritual Migration
He goes on to quote from other greats in Christian leadership,….this particular passage taken from (Rohr) teaching sure made me feel terrible, sad, and that just might be good for me on put your money where your mouth is..let your light/ good works cause others to glorify Our Heavenly Father. The passage ask us, “The question for us becomes: What will we do about it?”
“The way down always teaches us. We need times where the soul is broken and we need some place we can go and weep and mourn. But we must have healthy people there who don’t let us sink into that negativity as a way of life. As people of the church, we are called to be agents of transformation who witness and accompany change with the wisdom of the soul.
Jesus never told us to put our trust in the larger institutions of culture or even the church. That doesn’t mean they are bad or that we should abandon them, but we must recognize that they are also subject to the paschal mystery, the dying and the rising of all things. And I think we must be honest that we’re at the downside of the curve. All the indices suggest that we are at the end of the dominance of the United States, Western civilization, and even of Christianity. The question for us becomes: What will we do about it?”
I often have to remind myself and others around me of our truth. I reread my own blog words with wonder anew and I discovered in the “ BATHE IN THE TRUTH of just who you are and the power within you to change the dark of the night with your light! I “Bathe in the truth” just now and I came out feeling as refreshed as if the glisten of a warm fresh water fall had “spa bathe” my face.
I could sit in and with the Light to assure my yearning heart of God’s assurance of perfect love for me and my Granddaughter’s plan and purpose according to Jeremiah 29:11. Just as the moon and stars shine bright for you and me and your grands too so does God’s plan shine for all to see.
Take a “bathe “ in the depths of God’s truth for you….
“The Spirit of God has made me; [you]
the breath of the Almighty gives me [ you] life.”
—Job 33:4 (NIV)
Do you remember a phrase often quoted, “put your money where your mouth is.”
Yes. I do, and your meaning is also my understanding of the definition…”The phrase put your money where your mouth is means invest your money in what you believe or act on what you claim.”
It seems our words can be empty or can affirm action that we take. And that how we spend money might give some indication of how we rate/gauge priorities.
I think that what you said ,Sara,“ BATHE IN THE TRUTH of just who you are and the power within you to change the dark of the night with your light! …shows that you are acting on what you claim. In order to bathe, you have to fully step into it; immerse yourself; give wholeheartedly to it.
What you wrote, “Take a “bathe “ in the depths of God’s truth for you….” And the words and scriptures accompanying it, is a refreshing encouragement.