Bright Lights

Dear Friend,

I've started a book my mom bought me for Christmas. It's the complete and unabridged version of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. It's probably the best book I've ever picked up. The little family is so real, tender and dear to my heart. Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy and sweet Marmee are the most beautiful characters I've ever been introduced to. I snuggled up on my couch along with my puppy, Molly, some toast and hot chocolate and stepped into their world. After reading about Amy's limes, Beth's piano and watching Jo learn a profound lesson about forgiveness, I fell asleep with Molly cuddled up in my arms.

I woke to Saya coming home with dad. She needed a ride back to her place, so I offered to take her over. Dad asked me to do some errands at the library for mom on the way home. Today's their anniversary, but mom was too sick to go out and do anything. Hopefully she'll be up and about tomorrow. Saya and I had a good talk about a cute boy she's become acquainted with recently. Afterwards, I headed over to the library, picked up a few things and then headed home. Didn't really end up going straight to my destination though. I took the long way home through the river bottoms to see the lights on all the large homes. There's been so much snow the last few days and it's simply gorgeous at night when the Christmas colors glow through several inches of frozen, transparent snow. I drove though many streets slowly, taking in every covered tree, every glowing bulb, and some very lovely wreaths set in windows or hung from doors.

Since I wasn't familiar with the neighbor hood I chanced upon, I travelled in large circles trying to enter each street, becoming more and more confused. I passed by one street at least twice before I finally decided to turn into it. Besides the first house on my left, there were no other lights on that street. So, I slowed to a near stop and looked at the large, elegant white house. Lights shown through the snow that had fallen perfect enough for a post card on the lovely home. Candles were placed in several windows. All in all, it was an extravagant display of wealth. I was quit taken aback by its beauty. Then I abruptly noticed a small scene tucked away on the far left side of the lawn.

No lights were wrapped around the manger scene that lay almost invisible in the deep snow. Baby Jesus had three inches of snow sitting on his tiny body. I stared, shocked at this sudden enlightenment. What had I been looking for that night? Pretty lights entangled in tree branches and strung over houses. And there, dimmed to my eyes by the eccentric flashy world, lay the worlds only true light. Even as I looked on, the large, bright building in front of me continued to draw my eyes from the Christ child. I turned back to see the manger scene, laying quiet and still. I found myself in deep thought over what had just happened. Some would call it simply a coincidence. Well, even if that's what it was, it made an impact on how I will forever view Christmas. In that property, I saw what the world does in a very eye opening way. It pretends to provide a warm shelter from the cold, dark night with welcoming distractions and bright promises. But it won't last. Every house must fall one day. Every light will burn out. But the true promise of happiness is found in only one place. The atonement of Christ is the way. The Savior's light radiates. Not to the eyes does it shine, but to the searching soul. His promises are sure and are eternal. I will try not to be distracted by the worlds bright lights. I will instead search continually for the tender, loving glow that speaks truth to my heart.