Light of the World

Christmas is not Christmas without visits to the Halfaday's house. Every year, this family decks their house with lights and decorations galore. There is a 30-foot snowman, a life-size nativity scene, singing Christmas trees, a counter counting down the days until Christmas to start.

Last night, Rog and I walked Luke over to their house (they live in the development across the street from us) and as we turned the corner into their cul-de-sac, this is what we saw:


The picture does not nearly do justice to the experience. The house and yard, which are lit beginning the night of Thanksgiving, sit brightly in the background while in the middle of the cul-de-sac, the Halfaday clan, dressed as Santa, Mrs. Claus and two little elves, sit around a campfire, wishing passers-by Merry Christmas and handing out candy canes.

I couldn't help thinking as we walked home that this is a perfect example of living out Jesus' words: "You are the light of the world."

Our heart is to be so much like the heart of Jesus Christ that we can't help but shed light on the goodness, mercy and hope of God. The Halfadays take joy in bringing others joy and reflecting the heart of God. Being the light of the world doesn't have to mean we preach sermons on mountaintops or in large arenas. All of us are called to be lights right in our neighborhood. Thank you, Halfaday family, for the 1,000-watt reminder.

Here are a few more pictures of our night at the Halfaday "light"house: