#25Days25Ways – Sentinel2Sentinel

#LightTheWorld: A Christmas Compass

Yesterday I had the opportunity to sing in our Church service. The piece I chose was Gesù Bambino by Pietro Yon with the Frederick H. Martens translation, although I sang the first chorus in the orignal Italian. It is such a simple, beautiful hymn paying tribute to the sweet, humble birth of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Last year my Church invited all to particpate in the Light The World Christmas Initiative. In simple, meaningful ways we were invited to do a simple act of kindness, of service to others for 25 days. It was so much fun that my husband and I were excited that it was carried over into this 2017 Christmas season.

Just like the brightly shining star guided the Wise Men to where the Christ Child lay, we use the #LightTheWorld suggestions to act as our compass, guiding us with ideas for simple acts of Christlike love and service to others. Our actions, whether seen or unseen, become part of the #25Days25Ways “grateful chorus swell” that “acclaim His name.”

For truly as we adore others in Christlike service, we are showing that we truly “adore Him, Christ the Lord.”

325/365

Day 7: #LightTheWorld with Music

Screen Shot 2017-12-07 at 9.06.34 PM.png

When my little Charlie R. was born I did not meet him right away. But when meeting him a couple of weeks later and I got to hold him, one of the first things I did was sing to him.

That little bundle has become a big bundle of delightful joy. My little Wall Ball. He is almost 17 months old and I am still singing him to sleep with the very first lullaby I ever sang to him.

Now it is Christmas time. He is old enough to absorb the wonderful time of year that it is. He loves music. He loves to break out into a dance when he hears something he likes playing.

It is a great time of year to play and sing fun songs, songs of joy, and songs of hope to light the world with His Glory.

314/365

Day 3: #LightTheWorld ~ Sabbath day

Screen Shot 2017-12-02 at 12.09.20 PM — How can you make good use of your time on the Sabbath?

Today was the last day of the Montgomery Interfaith Nativity. My friends were singing this evening so after the Honey-do got home from Church we spent a few moments reflecting on the day, closed out our Fast Sunday with a prayer, quickly grabbed a bite to eat and then headed out the door.

We made it just in time to support our dear friends, Lana and her Grandpa Marty, singing at 5:30 p.m. They were wonderful and absolutely charming together. It was lovely to see them, as family, working in harmony to share the Spirit of Christmas with the Interfaith community.

Then we stayed for the next performance by the Christmas Trio, a women’s trio, who sang several Christmas lullabyes.

We made it home in time to feed the dogs and watch the Christmas Devotional from home. What a lovely Sabbath day of worship through music and the spoken word.

310/365

SaveSave

Day 2: #LightTheWorld ~ I was thirsty…

Screen Shot 2017-12-01 at 1.02.15 PM.png The best part of #25Days25Ways is that service can be done in secret! No one has to know. So why am I blogging about it? Well, I am lazy and having a topic to discuss each day makes it easier on my brain. But do not get used to it because I could change my mind in a flash.

What I love about the Light the World site are the suggestions. It is usually easier to take a suggestion, think about it, and then come up with a way to make it work in my life or discuss it with my Honey-do to see what we come up with as a team. For example…

A few days ago we had a late night visit with someone. On the way home we stopped by Krispie Kreme. (Yeah, it is a daily temptation and that particular night we did not resist.) There were a couple of people ahead of us and then it was our turn. Oh yeah. Santa’s Belly was in the box before you could bat an eye…. Then we went all out with those insulated cups filled with hot chocolate, not to forget the whipped cream on top.

Being the chatter-box I began a short conversation with the man patiently waiting behind us. He was getting a box full of fresh off the line, warm, delicious doughnuts. Listening to him and enjoying his face light up as he described the delectable experience of nothing tasting “so good as one of those warm doughnuts melting in your mouth” made me smile.

So turning to my Honey-do we started a #LightTheWorld practice run. Honey-do quietly paid for the man’s doughnuts before we left. Then we tried to scurry away before he realized what happened but he zoomed out the door to tell us thanks.

Yesterday, on the offical first day of #25Days25Ways, I had a plan for what I was going to do. I began discussing a freely give opportunity that I wanted to do so Honey-do sat, patiently listened and agreed that my idea was just fine. But his face went a litte funny and within seconds he spilled the beans. It touched my heart.

Honey-do felt a prompting earlier as he was out and about, telling him to do something. Then he did it without second guessing himself. And then he took two steps more to go the extra mile in his act of service. The experience had touched him deeply and because of it, the Holy Spirit touched my heart equally so we both felt an incredible spark of warmth come over us.

Today, we counseled together again. And we each decided to do a little something for today’s theme.

Screen Shot 2017-12-02 at 12.09.20 PM.png

No, I will not tell you how we served today but I can tell you tomorrow is Day 3 and it has to with Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy.

309/365