a new word for the new year... light...

For several years now... at the beginning of a new year... I've asked Him for one word to define my walk with Him for the year...

Past years' words have been...
obedience...
journey...
new...
freedom...

This year's word...

Light...

light... something that makes vision possible... spiritual illumination... truth...

---Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Ed.

He actually brought the word to my attention several months ago...

before I even thought about a word for 2017...

I've been learning He is the only source of light...

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world;

he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

John 8:12 NASB

He alone makes vision possible...

illuminates the spiritual reality around us...

reveals truth...

Those who follow Him not only walk in the Light of Life...

they are the light of the world...

He says to His disciples...

"You are the light of the world. ..."

Matthew 5:14 NASB

My prayer recently...

in many situations...

How do I be light in this circumstance...?

How can I reveal Your light to this person...?

To shine His Light as a follower...

is to bring Him glory...

because what is more glorious...

than light... in a very dark place...

Have you asked Him for one word this year...?

It's a spiritual discipline which has had a surprising impact in my life...

If you get one I'd love for you to share it here in the comment box...

[click on the post title... scroll to the bottom... type in the box...]

a recommended read... to keep Christmas in your heart...

Christmas...
we put a lot of time and energy into the surface elements...
gifts...
decorating...
parties...
dressing just right...
but what about the heart...?

In the midst of Advent... a book came to my attention...
a small book by Timothy Keller...
I'm still reading it... not quite finished... but Wow...!

Hidden Christmas... The Surprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ...

Every year after Christmas... I long to somehow keep the wonder of the Infinite and Uncontainable... stooping low... to become an embryo... then a Babe laid in hay... in my heart...

This book by Timothy Keller... may just do it...

Now that the hub-bub has subsided...
the new year dawning...
I recommend this read to you...

Not for next Advent...
but for NOW...
a way to begin the new year...

Before the last of the decorations are stored away...
begin this book for a better understanding of our Savior...
and what Christmas truly means...
and why it's not just a superficial season...
but a life changing event...
for us... for the world...

Keep the wonder in your heart all year...
and perhaps you'll have more heart...
and less surface... next... Christmas...

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people

and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David,

as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,

that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us;

to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant,

the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us that we,

being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear,

in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. ..."

Luke 1:68-74 ESV