We were talking about all the Christmas lights that people are putting up in neighborhoods everywhere this time of year. There seems to be something that attracts us to light. It makes ordinary homes sparkle when there are no longer green grass or flowers, and when the night falls early every evening.
We went ice skating today also. Young son playing tag the whole time, daughter's friend skating round and round, and daughter helping little girls learn how to stand on their own. Who had the most fun? Young son was sure that he did, because he was playing hard and fast the whole time. Daughter's friend thought she did because she enjoyed the entertainment. And daughter said she did because she was helping people. Isn't that interesting? Really, they all did have fun, but who had the most fun?
Daughter said it is like the difference between eating a cookie and eating a salad. A cookie is more fun for the moment. It tastes great! A salad, though it tastes less exciting, is great because it makes your health better, you feel good for a longer time. Helping the little skaters wasn't really fun, but it makes you feel really good inside.
And that's where the correlation to Christmas lights come in. When a person experiences self-forgetfulness and kindness through the power of the Holy Spirit, their character is noticeably different. It is like the person lights up, and yet there is nothing like the cries of the self-seeking, saying "Hey! Look at me!" There is no artificial showing-off like a giant plastic snowman in the yard. It is quiet and gentle, like stars on a snowy night, or a moon sweeping across the sky. They are just out their doing their job, but their like makes a big difference.
Jesus didn't come to earth for entertainment, or to show off. He wasn't born in the mansion of the wealthy. He came to serve. He humbled himself so we could know the love of the Father. His self-forgetting service is for us to copy. "Ye, are the light of the world," he said. What light there would be this Christmas if we lived His example. It might be the most fun we've ever had.
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