Rays of Hope-Joyful Signs of the Season

I always loved this time of year when I was small. There seemed to be such hope in the faces of the people I'd meet. I grew up during a time when people still celebrated Christmas with a Christmas concert in the auditorium. I looked forward to singing the solo in "O Holy Night" but wasn't picked.

I didn't know about the annual tree lighting and celebration when I started researching my hometown for a book. I discovered the celebration when I started getting actively involved in the community. I am a little bit sad that I wasn't able to participate as a child. The children all have such hopeful looks on their faces. I can tell that they are living in the moment eager to see Santa. I see in their faces rays of hope. It makes me feel good to see all the holiday decorations. I see these joyful signs of the season as an invitation to relax.

I do praise God for this season of light in the midst of a dark world. I do praise God for his son who came to Earth as a baby and became one of us. I do praise God for everything he has done for me and the love he is showing to me right now. God has got a hold of me and won't let go.