Light

The Roosevelt Island bus pulled to a stop before rounding the corner and heading down the ramp to Wengerd’s Farm Market. In the darkness just before dawn, the light of electric candles shone from the apartments outside the bus windows.

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined” (Isaiah 9:2).

Saturday evening, Laurence and I walked for a couple miles in Howard Beach, Queens, past the most elaborate of light displays. Here and there, we passed nativity scenes that proclaimed, “Jesus is the reason for the season” – words of light.

Many of our customers responded on Saturday with, “Merry Christmas!” However, there was the man who said, “The thing to be concerned about is if there will even be a United States a year from now,” – essentially saying that there wouldn’t be. These words came from darkness. Jesus came to give light and hope.

Last evening, we walked on a horse trail in the woods (yes, in the city!) of Forest Park. Light reflecting from the clouds lit our path. This morning, Laurence tells me that like the clouds reflecting light, so we want to be a reflection of the Light.

Laurence sits in a rocker across from me, the Bible in his lap. In the dimness of our room the flame from a kerosene lamp gives light. God sent His Son to light our world with peace in 2023.

God bless you with light this Christmas day. We’ll be going to the mission for dinner. Merry Christmas. Laurence and Berniece