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She was on her third Christmas tree. My husband and I received the pretty tree-top angel as a gift. For thirty years, she had taken her place and glowed above the rest of the decorations.

My heart sank when I plugged her in for her annual light check. Nothing happened. After more than three decades of faithfully serving her duty with no complications, her lights had burnt out.

I wondered if it was time to find a replacement for her, but I just didn’t have the heart. I thought about the effort it would take to fix the broken angel. I didn’t really want to go to all of the trouble. However, as I held her in my hands and remembered Christmas pasts, I knew I needed to take care of her. She was made to shine.

The process took a good chunk of my time. I had to run to the store to find a clear strand of lights to replace the set that had made her glow for so many years. Then I was left with the tedious job of rewiring her.

After she was fixed, I lifted her up high to take her place just inches from the ceiling. I plugged her in, and watched as she brightly shined her light. Yes. She was made to shine.

I thought about my own light. There have been times that it has dimmed. I’m sure there have even been times that no one could even see it shine at all.

I believe the trouble in my life is that at times, I have let the cares of this world steal my focus from the Source of my light. Instead of praying, I worried. Instead of searching for truth in God’s word, I allowed myself to believe Satan’s lies. Rather than listening to the Holy Spirit’s leading and guidance when I was offended, I responded with hurtful words and careless actions. Instead of trusting that God would take care of whatever trial or tribulation that caused my light to dim, I found myself in despair over the things I could not fix.

Thankfully, I have a loving and patient Father who has been teaching me to rely on the power of the Spirit. He has also blessed me with caring brothers and sisters in Christ who have helped shift my focus back to Him when I’m not listening to Him very well.

We cannot let the troubles of this world dim our lights. God forbid that our lights would be totally snuffed out. It’s imperative that we stay plugged into the Source through prayer and meditating on His word. We must stay focused on the Source of the Great Light within us. For we were made to shine!

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

Some gifts don’t come wrapped. We may not even recognize some things as being gifts at the time we receive them. However, as time passes by, we understand.

My Grandpa and Grandma Shouse had eight children and too many grandchildren and great grandchildren for me to try to count. Because their family was so large, we didn’t get together for a big meal or gift exchange at Christmas.

However, every year on Christmas day, my parents, siblings and I would go to Grandpa and Grandma’s house for a visit. Grandpa would get his Bible off the stand on the coffee table and read Luke chapter 2. While we were there, other aunts, uncles and cousins were sure to show up at some point. Since all of Grandpa’s children and grandchildren showed up at different times, I have often wondered how many times on Christmas day my Grandpa read Luke chapter 2. I miss those special times when we all sat quietly and listened to Grandpa read aloud about the birth of Jesus.

My grandpa died on May 14 of 1982. I was in 8^th grade and remember being pulled out of Mr. Pickett’s classroom to join my cousin Brian in the hallway while my dad and uncle told us the news.

For my 8^th grade graduation that year, my grandma gave me a little “Soul Winner’s New Testament” with “’Call unto me.’ –Jeremiah 33:3” written in gold lettering. Inside were words presenting it to me from her and Grandpa even though Grandpa had gone on to heaven.

I don’t think I realized what a precious gift my grandparents (and parents) had passed down to me until later in life. A big part of who I am today has been shaped by the words on those pages…words that taught me what is right, words that taught me of God’s unconditional love, words that taught me to love, words that gave wisdom to help me grow, words that gave direction when I didn’t know which way to go, words that brought strength, comfort and peace in times of trouble, words of life.

Some gifts don’t come wrapped. Of all the gifts that I have received at Christmas, the gift of hearing the Good News about Jesus and celebrating his birth is the gift that has lasted and had the biggest impact on my life. Because of the relationship I have with Jesus after hearing those words and recognizing God’s call, I have peace. Because I believe the Good News I heard, I want to share those words with others. There is no greater joy than seeing others recognize God’s call after they hear the words as well.

 “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” ~Romans 10:9-10 NIV

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” ~Romans 10:14-15

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” ~Romans 10:17

I was very surprised to receive three beautiful flower arrangements for my birthday. I don’t believe I have ever received so many flowers at one time. I felt special and loved for sure!

The first arrangement was a simple bouquet of white daisies. My husband knows that daisies are my favorite flower and that I love a bouquet that looks like it was picked straight from the garden. The arrangement was perfect!

 

The second arrangement was another bouquet of white daisies, but it also included carnations and roses in the most perfect shade of pink. My son and daughter-in-law know that daisies are my favorite flower, that I also love pink roses and that the smell of carnations bring back happy childhood memories. The arrangement was perfect!

 

The third arrangement also included white daisies but with bright yellow daisies mixed in. My father-in-law and stepmother-in-law know that I love daisies and bright colors. Of course, the bright yellow color makes me feel happy as it reminds me of the sunshine. The arrangement was perfect!

 

All three bouquets were different, yet all three bouquets were absolutely perfect! I couldn’t have chosen a favorite. They each had distinct qualities that made them special.

 

The beautiful arrangements sitting on my desk reminded me of each of us. We are all the same in that we are created in God’s image, but at the same time, we are all different. We each have a different combination of physical features, personalities, gifts and talents. Each of us is God’s unique creation. We are His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10 NLT). He designed each of us exactly how He wants us. His work is absolutely perfect!

 

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

~Psalm 139:13-16