Last Christmas, my wife Cindy stoked excitement for our then-upcoming Trevisan family reunion in July by gifting each family of “littles” with the book, “When Lightning Comes in a Jar” about the family reunions of author Patricia Palacco. In January, her routine annual physical uncovered Acute Myelocytic Leukemia (AML) that resulted in Cindy’s death just 76 days later.
Stunned? Sad? Grieved? Yup, all that and more; But also amazed and inspired by Cindy’s light that has transcended her mortality.
Turns out, she didn’t make the family reunion last July so I gifted each family member with a lightning jar keepsake in honor of her Christmas/reunion book project and of the beautiful light in Cindy that she readily attributed to her faith in Jesus Christ, her Savior.
Now I bring you this “Light of the World,” ornament, my 20th annual, inspired by Cindy, my beloved wife of 40 years who I dearly miss. I pray this ornament and its lesson brings Light to your life as well.
Glenn Trevisan (Christmas 2019)
“Light of the World” - 2019 Ornament
Light, both physical and spiritual, is a prominently associated with God in the Bible. God’s declaration, “Let there be light” launched creation. (Genesis 1:3) As a pillar of fire, God guided Israel’s exodus from Egypt (Exodus 13:21). Through the prophet Isaiah, God invoked light to stake His sovereign rule over all lived experience, asserting, “I form the light and the darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things” (Isaiah 45:7)
Spiritually, God as Light illuminates, guides and empowers all who declare Him Lord. “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1) … “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105) … “You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light “(2 Samuel 22:29) …
Light metaphors illuminate Messianic prophecies too. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2). “Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” (Micah 7:8b).
Light factors prominently in Jesus’ birth stories. “An angel of the Lord appeared to (the shepherds), and the glory of the Lord shone around them….” (Luke 2:8-9). Later, Wise Men seeking the newborn Messiah reported following “his star.” (Matthew 2:1-2)
“I am the light of the world,” declared Jesus. “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
In his second letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul depicted darkness as spiritual blindness that only the light of Jesus’ salvation can heal. When we acknowledge our sin nature, accept Jesus’ saving grace and submit to his Lordship of our lives, his salvation takes root in us and WE become the light of Jesus’ gospel that combats spiritual blindness in the world. (see 2 Corinthians 3:15-4:6)
Matthew 5:14-15, the ornament’s theme verse, presents a noted twist to the Biblical light narrative. “YOU are the light of the world,” said Jesus to His followers. Just as people do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl but put it on its stand to give light to everyone in the house, “In the same way, let YOUR light shine before others, that others may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Yes, Jesus came to be our light but, more importantly, to plant His light in US, his disciples. Believers’ “good deeds” that show Jesus’ light include being counter-cultural in a world openly dismissive of God, readily identifying as Christ followers and that God is our “light source,” honoring God by being kind, serving, generous, and peace-making and grounding our relationships in Christ (versus being right).
Death failed to extinguish or even dim Cindy’s light. Rather, her light still touches us – in shared condolences, testimonies about her, “lightning jars” gifted to family and friends, this “Light of the World” ornament and in the myriad ways that God lovingly moves in our lives as we cherish and nurture our memories of her.
Let’s follow Cindy’s example whose fresh, sweet faith brightened the lives of everyone she encountered. We can do likewise by letting our little lights shine to chase away darkness with the light of God’s redemption and love.
“…”my God turns darkness into light”
(Psalm 18:28b)”
Notes:
COMMENTS: Are WELCOME and ENCOURAGED here about how the ornament and/or message struck you ESPECIALLY from ornament recipients. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE a 2019 “Light of the World” ornament, simply request one at RoadReportJournal@gmail.com. My "extras" supply is limited but if I can get one to you, I will - Free unless shipping is required in which case I may ask you to cover those costs.
Acknowledgements:
1. Jars: 1 oz. clear with metallic silver flat top ordered from Beauticom via Amazon
2. Stainless steel engraved charm ordered through Etsy, made by Beadboat1
3. “Candle” body was made at Sherwood Pattern Company with the help of Rich Button by cutting 3/8 inch slices from a 1.25 inch diameter dowel rod. Using a lathe, we drilled a 9/16 inch hole to make a cavity for the candle light. The candle bottoms are 1.25 inch diameter card stock circles pressed on the Hytronics #1 machine at Champion Gasket and Rubber Company.
4. The candle lights are Accmor LED Mini Round Ball light available through Amazon.
5. See the original “Lightning in a Jar” story in the “Insights” section of this website: “When Lightning Comes in a Jar and Cindy”
Making the “Light of the World” Ornament
