Joy to the World

 

Each Sunday as I enter church, I light a vigil candle and pray: “Lord, make me a little light in this world.”

Today in the Gospel of Mark (Chapter 4), the Bible Study guys read how we are to be a light in the world.  “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not on a stand?”  It is meant to change the darkness.  We discussed ways we might be the light of Christ in this world, from teaching and preaching His word, to just wearing a little cross that others can see (as I do).

One of the members told us of how his very young foster child recently spoke on the phone to his birth-father.  The child is in foster care because of how badly he was abused and beaten by his mother.  His birth-father is in jail for murder.  The foster father told us how, in a carefully screened call to protect his phone number and location, the birth-father was connected to him on the prison phone.  The prisoner was extremely thankful for those caring for and loving his child.  He cried when he spoke to his very young child --- who perhaps did not even understand who it was who was speaking to him --- yet.  This event we saw as a classic example of how we should let Christ’s light shine through us.  Will the prisoner’s life change?  Will the child’s life change?  That is not for us to worry about.  Jesus shone His light on the poor and the rich alike, not just those who He judged worthy.  The light can penetrate even the deepest darkness --- or prison.  But why would we want to go through all the trouble for such terrible people?  A few lines further in Mark is an answer: “The measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given to you” (Mk 4:24).  The commandment to love our neighbor didn’t say only the good ones.

How can you show Christ’s light in the world during these Advent days?  How will you bring Joy to the world?  There are people all around you in darkness, who need a little Christmas love.  Be their light.

- - - - - - - - - -

It was in a different Bible study group that I met Tony.  He once mentioned that he was a jeweler, and so after the meeting I asked him if he could make a piece of jewelry I had been seeking for years.  He said to drop by his store.  I was surprised to hear its location; I pass it every week as I go into another city for a food ministry I volunteer at --- (and I thought: “this is no coincidence”).  When I stopped the next week at his store I was in for an even bigger surprise.  Inside, the store had a crucifix over the entrance way, but beyond that it had no signs, no displays, and nothing but empty showcases.  Explaining, Tony told me how he heard Jesus tell him to open the store some months ago.  Now behind in his rent and threatened with closure, he felt Jesus again tell him to not give up, and so he struggles on, doing custom jewelry work --- like I wanted.  Of Middle-Eastern birth, Tony says he hopes to make enough money to bring his family to America, out of the wars and Christian persecutions where they now live.  Despite his poverty, Tony refuses to take any advance money from me for the work I have asked him to do.  And so, I visit each week, and we talk and pray.

This past week, Tony offered some praise to God at the start of the Bible Study group meeting.  A few weeks prior, a man had come asking for some detailed work be done for him, and when he came to pick it up, Tony found out he also was a jeweler.  So, Tony refused to accept any money from a fellow jeweler.  This past week that man called Tony again; he will provide all the jewelry needed to fill Tony’s display cases in time for Christmas --- at no cost to Tony.  The jewelry will be on consignment, and Tony will pay him only HIS cost, after Tony has sold the jewelry.

Tony is a Christian light in this world, and the measure he gave is the measure he is receiving.  He brought Joy to the world, and now he will bring even more.