I stood in a Christmas Eve service and looked at the light in my hand. I took in the light around the room, piercing the darkness. The combined lights brightened the room. They made it easier to see people, walk pathways, find items around us. I thought about the impact of bringing light to the world.

I’m not proud enough to think I can do that by myself. I don’t think I have all the answers. I know I can’t fix all the problems, impact all the lives, brighten everyone’s day. But I know I can hold light in my heart, let it radiate through my eyes and hands, and share it. I also know sharing light isn’t easy. We want it to be. We shine light where there is already light, and we feel good about ourselves. We make it about us. It is not.

Christmas (and many other) lights are beautiful among the darkness. They lose their brilliance in the daylight. In darkness, light illuminates. In the light, it’s diluted, swallowed.

The beauty of light is revealed in the darkness.

Where are you? Why? What’s your attitude? Your willingness? Your humility? How are you giving? What are you shining?