The light of Christmas.
I remember quickly snapping the photo above. It was during the Christmas Eve Service in 2017 at my parents church. I sat beside my Dad. It was our first Christmas that my mom was spending in heaven with Jesus. Her absence was felt as we prepared for Christmas that year. My Dad and I had decided to do something different that Christmas Eve. The afternoon of Christmas Eve we went through my mom's closet and removed a lot of her winter clothing and all of her coats (and she had several) and took them to an event where homeless people could come and get things for Christmas.
There were a lot of new items that had been donated, but coats were really needed, and since my mom no longer needed her coats...it was time to pass them on. It felt as if we were sharing a little piece of her life and kind heart that night. Not only did we donate the items, instead of a family Christmas Eve at home, we volunteered to work at the event held in downtown Des Moines. That night over 600 homeless people came for help. The organizers were worried they might run out of items as the line continued to grow, but when the event was over...there was still more than enough for 200 additional people left.
It was a Christmas where we shared the light of hope and joy to others by giving my mom's coats and a lot of her clothing away. It was hard going to her closet and removing her items, but my Dad assured me...this would be what my mom would have wanted. I watched that night as my Dad had a special happiness in him that I hadn't seen since my mom's passing. I saw him interact with people and watch as they selected my mom's items. I saw a spark of hope in his eyes. I think it came from giving. Sharing the light of love to others eased the pain of our first Christmas without my mom here.
Later that night, we attended the candlelight service at my parents church. I remember as those candles were raised in the darkness and the church became illuminated by the light of the candles, feeling a peace and joy that I had not felt in a long time. As carols were sung, I felt gratitude in my heart for the light that Jesus brought to the world that night so long ago when he was born. Even though there was no room for him in the inn, he arrived anyway. By the light of the moon His father provided, Jesus was born in a stable...to share His light with the world. To save mankind. To show us the way to God. He was Immanuel. God with us.
For believer's in Jesus, the light of Immanuel is with us every day, not just at Christmas. The light of God's love for the world can only go into the world...if we take it. If we raise the flames of our lives up high for others to see...we honor Jesus. We can give others hope and joy and a reason to celebrate.
We gave those people so much more than coats that Christmas Eve in 2017. We gave them a piece of the light that was my mom in each item. We gave them the light that shined from us that night despite grief. Somehow God makes His light in us perfect.
Don't miss the opportunity this Christmas season that God gives you to shine your light into the world. The gifts of hope, peace, and joy...can be gifted from your heart. And, if you have an extra coat in your closet...that can't hurt to share either. To those hurting...we can be the light...all year long.
This issue of 'For your Heart and Home' has so many wonderful items to encourage you and build your faith, while offering some great decorating and DIY tips. PLUS...December 8th, we'll have our Christmas Short Story, The Christmas Fragrance, that you'll want to read.
There were a lot of new items that had been donated, but coats were really needed, and since my mom no longer needed her coats...it was time to pass them on. It felt as if we were sharing a little piece of her life and kind heart that night. Not only did we donate the items, instead of a family Christmas Eve at home, we volunteered to work at the event held in downtown Des Moines. That night over 600 homeless people came for help. The organizers were worried they might run out of items as the line continued to grow, but when the event was over...there was still more than enough for 200 additional people left.
It was a Christmas where we shared the light of hope and joy to others by giving my mom's coats and a lot of her clothing away. It was hard going to her closet and removing her items, but my Dad assured me...this would be what my mom would have wanted. I watched that night as my Dad had a special happiness in him that I hadn't seen since my mom's passing. I saw him interact with people and watch as they selected my mom's items. I saw a spark of hope in his eyes. I think it came from giving. Sharing the light of love to others eased the pain of our first Christmas without my mom here.
Later that night, we attended the candlelight service at my parents church. I remember as those candles were raised in the darkness and the church became illuminated by the light of the candles, feeling a peace and joy that I had not felt in a long time. As carols were sung, I felt gratitude in my heart for the light that Jesus brought to the world that night so long ago when he was born. Even though there was no room for him in the inn, he arrived anyway. By the light of the moon His father provided, Jesus was born in a stable...to share His light with the world. To save mankind. To show us the way to God. He was Immanuel. God with us.
For believer's in Jesus, the light of Immanuel is with us every day, not just at Christmas. The light of God's love for the world can only go into the world...if we take it. If we raise the flames of our lives up high for others to see...we honor Jesus. We can give others hope and joy and a reason to celebrate.
We gave those people so much more than coats that Christmas Eve in 2017. We gave them a piece of the light that was my mom in each item. We gave them the light that shined from us that night despite grief. Somehow God makes His light in us perfect.
Don't miss the opportunity this Christmas season that God gives you to shine your light into the world. The gifts of hope, peace, and joy...can be gifted from your heart. And, if you have an extra coat in your closet...that can't hurt to share either. To those hurting...we can be the light...all year long.
This issue of 'For your Heart and Home' has so many wonderful items to encourage you and build your faith, while offering some great decorating and DIY tips. PLUS...December 8th, we'll have our Christmas Short Story, The Christmas Fragrance, that you'll want to read.
In The Christmas Fragrance, you'll meet Caroline and Maude and see how God worked in their lives, giving them the gift He had been preparing for them through generations. The Christmas Fragrance short story by me :) available online December 8th!
Now, go shine your light...
Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas, Shelly
Publisher
The Notebook Café
Millie McKeever’s Vintage & Home Decor
Now, go shine your light...
Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas, Shelly
Publisher
The Notebook Café
Millie McKeever’s Vintage & Home Decor
Shelly Thompson
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Shelly Thompson is the Publisher for The Notebook Cafe -- Inspired Words for the Journey, and owner of Millie McKeever's Vintage & Home Decor with 201 Coffee located in the quaint historic town of Walnut, Iowa. 'The Cafe' offers a place where women gather to share a time of fellowship, devotion, and a tour the circa 1875 historical bank building restored by Shelly and her husband. Shelly is the author of two books. Entwined; now in its fourth printing; and Heart of a Warrior; in its sixth printing. Taking a giant leap of faith Shelly left the corporate world in 2015 to pursue a dream God gave her of developing a monthly inspirational faith based online reading café of words and encouragement. Today, The Notebook Café reaches over one million people each month. Shelly has also developed The Notebook Cafe Annual Woman's Conference and women's retreat. In addition to operating The Notebook Cafe shop, Millie McKeever's Vintage & Home Decor, Shelly and her husband, Dave, spend time with their family and many weekends working on home renovation projects…that thankfully never seem to end.
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