“In him was life, and the life was the light of men.”—John 1:4 (ESV)

“He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.”—John 1:8

According to John 1:8, Jesus’ disciple, John was not the light but came as a witness to the Light. Because we are disciples of Christ, like John, it is also our duty to be a witness for Jesus. We are to point others to Him. This time of year may open the door for more opportunities for this to occur.

How do we do this during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season? A few years ago, I was convicted of not preparing my heart for Christmas. I realized that rather than enjoying my time getting my home ready, I felt it was a chore. I didn’t like that feeling. Now, as I decorate my house, I give thanks while I am doing it.

I no longer dread separating the tree branches. As I see the twinkling lights, I am reminded to thank God for being the light on my path (Psalm 119:105) and using me to be His light in a dark world. Putting out my mini nativity scenes, I thank God for the gift of the birth of His Son, what He sacrificed for me as well as giving Him praise that one day He will return just as He has promised.

No matter the time of day, when I am home, I turn the tree lights on as a reminder to be the light of Jesus in all that I do.  My chair that I knit in faces the tree. I have a feeling of peacefulness as I sit and knit. After a day of running errands, it helps me to refocus on why we celebrate the birth of Jesus. He came down to earth to save ordinary people like you and me.

What is the condition of your heart as you set-up your home this time of the year? Is the focus the coming of our Lord and Savior or on the commercialism of the world? With TV and social media, this isn’t easy to do. It takes intentionality on our part.

While I try to share the love of Jesus with those who God puts in my pathway year-round, if this is something you aren’t comfortable doing, now might be a good time to try it. People seem to be more open to it this time of the year, so why not attempt it now to put into practice?

Of course, if you knit or crochet, you can make a gift to let someone know that they matter and you notice them. If you start it with some shade of red/pink, you can share how that symbolizes how we are all sealed with the blood of Christ from the beginning to end. It could open the door for you to share the Gospel or invite someone to church with you.

Our church has cards to pass out to invite people to our Christmas Eve services. I include one of these with my knit gifts that I give away. If someone isn’t comfortable going in person, they have the option to watch it online as well. You never know if that invitation will lead someone to go to church.

We are all called to share the love of Jesus every day. Will you join me the month of December to be more intentional in doing this?  God can use us to be that light to the clerks/cashiers who feel as if they aren’t noticed. Our acts of kindness can change the trajectory of their day.

Father God,

Forgive me when I get caught up in the commercialism that surrounds me or the social media post that show a perfectly decorated home. Help me to transform my house into one that welcomes the true Spirit of Christmas…the celebration of Christ our Savior’s birth. Thank You for sending Your Son down to save ordinary people like me. I ask for opportunities for You to use me to be the light You have called me to be in someone’s dark day. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen.

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 December Verse

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men.”—John 1:4 (ESV)

If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.