A Light in the Window

A Light in the Window

 

No matter what else is on my to-do list for Christmas, one of my greatest joys is seeking out a children’s book or two to bring and read to the grand kids and great grandkids. Always, of course, is the Story of Christmas, but I like to find one more story―something new to them.  As I shuffled through my beloved collection of children’s books, I spot one little book that has slipped way to the back of the bookcase. Curious I reach for it and when I read the title, I smile knowing, this is the perfect one I’ll share this year.  

It’s not a new well-illustrated picture book one can buy nowadays, or even a story written in this century.  It’s a book by Louisa M Alcott in 1871, published in 1902. The book is titled Aunt Jo’s Scrap-Bag.  I found it years ago in a second hand store. And the well-worn pages seem to fall open naturally to the perfect Christmas story for this year’s reading, titled “Tilly’s Christmas”.

One little girl in the story lives in a big beautiful home and is very rich. She is fussing about what to buy for all those on her Christmas list. But she finds herself pondering about her friend Tillie, who is so very poor and surely is not able to buy any gifts at all.

Tillie sitting by the window at home, sadly ponders this dilemma too. But her mother shares with her how they are able to give a gift to all their neighbors’ ―the gift of light by the candle in the window.

“I like to have our light sine out in the evening, for the road is dark and lonely just here, and the twinkle of our lamp is pleasant to people’s eyes as they go by. We can do so little for our neighbors, I am glad to cheer the way for them.”

“The Word gave life to everything that was created,

and his life bought light to everyone.

The light shines in the darkness

 and the darkness can never extinguish it.”

John 1:4-5 NLT

 

Let us all be aware of that small whisper in our heart from God that reminds us Who is the Light to the world. It is then God will give a tug on the heart and say: “Let My Light shine through the window of your heart to others.

For its still true today as it was many years ago that  every act of kindness, every smile to a stranger, every hug to encourage, and every opportunity to share the gift of God, Jesus Christ,  is a light in the window to those who need Him most in this dark and distracted world.

 

“A Light in the Window” by Dee Kamp, Grace Every Morning Ministries© December 16, 2014