Let it shine! Let it shine!

When we hold joy in our hands, it warms the heart.

When we share where we have been, it lights the way.

Welcome, dear friends!

Today I find myself in the Season of Christmas, basking in the glow of the beautiful flashing, twinkling lights, savoring freshly baked cookies, and reflecting on the story of Jesus's birth.

It is a time to take a look at my life, what I have learned and how I can improve my mission to share Jesus, the Gift of Light, with the world. I would like to share with you this fun little song from my childhood:

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine,

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine—

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

And the second verse tells us:

Don’t you try and poof it out–I’m going to let it shine;

Don’t you try to poof it out–I’m going to let it shine,

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Fifty-one bright, beautiful red hearts may tell the story of where I have been and the joy I discovered meeting new friends and neighbors, but the real “joy for the world” is Jesus glowing in our hearts.

I encourage everyone to do as Mary did–ponder this great miracle, and assess your heart. Are you spreading joy and glowing, or are you trying to “poof it out?” Proverbs 4:23 reminds us: "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

Hide it under a basket, no! I’m going to let it shine–

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

A very blessed Christmas, everyone!

Lonnette