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There was a blackout, so I went to the closet and fumbled around to find the candles. I lit four of them. I was turning to leave with the largest one in my hand when I heard a voice, “Now, hold it right there!”

“Who said that?”

“I did.” The voice was near my hand.

“Who are you? What are you?”

“I’m a candle.”

I lifted it up to take a closer look. There was a tiny little face in the wax, and it said, “Don’t take me out of here.”

“What?”

“I said, ‘Don’t take me out of here.’”

“What do you mean? I have to take you out! You’re a candle and your job is to give light. It’s dark out there and I need you.”

“But I’m not ready,” the candle pleaded. “I need more preparation.”

I could not believe my ears. “More preparation?”

“Yes, I’ve decided to research this job of light giving so I won’t go out there and make a bunch of mistakes. You’d be surprised how distorted the glow of an untrained candle can be…”

“All right, then,” I said. “You are not the only candle on the shelf. I blow you out and take the others.” But right then I heard the other voices: “We aren’t going, either!”

I turned to the candles and said, “You are candles and your job is to light dark places!”

“Well, that may be what you think,” said the first one. “You may think we have to go, but I’m busy. I’m meditating on the importance of light. It is very enlightening.”

“And you other two?” I asked. “Are you going to stay here, too?”

A short, fat, purple candle with plump cheeks spoke up. “I’m waiting to get my life together. I’m not stable enough to go out there and shine.”

The last candle had a female voice, very pleasant to the ear. “I’d like to help,” she explained, “but lighting the darkness is not my gift. I’m a singer. I sing to other candles to encourage them to burn more brightly.”

She began a rendition of “This Little Light of Mine” The other three joined in, filling the closet with singing….I took a step back and considered the absurdity of it all. Four perfectly healthy candles singing to each other about light but refusing to come out of the closet.

Someone sent me that parable years ago. I don’t know the author. But I thought it appropriate for this time of year when we see so many candles everywhere as part of the seasonal decorations. Candles are used in Advent and Christmas to remind us of the coming Light of the World. This should be a time of increasing Light in our lives and the lives of those around us. So how can you let your light shine?

• Share the love of God with someone with an act of kindness or a gift.
• Invite someone to your home to share a meal.
• Invite someone to attend a special worship service with you.

By your words and your actions, let it be known that Jesus, the Light of the world, came for all people. There is more to Him than the story of His birth. He is the one who lived a perfect life, offered it to pay for the sins of all people, and rose again victorious on Easter to bring life and immortality to light. He wants you to shine His light into your world this Advent and Christmas season.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Psalm 103:17 “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—”

Proverbs 17:6 “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”

Last Friday was the 9^th birthday of my granddaughter Iris. This coming Friday is the 6^th birthday of my youngest granddaughter, Micah. Cheryl and I always look forward to being with our grandchildren and especially on their birthdays!

Thinking of birthdays, I was reminded of a birthday greeting that was used during Sunday School opening at the congregation I served for many years. They were doing it before I arrived back in 1988! It was this:

Many happy returns of the day of thy birth.
Many seasons of joy be given.
May the dear Father prepare thee on earth
For a beautiful birthday in heaven.
Happy Birthday, and God Bless!

A lot of people at Grace actually said “Many happy returns on the day of thy birth,” but the correct wording is the one above. When you say “Many happy returns of the day of thy birth,” you are asking that God would bless them with a long life in which they see their birthday here oh earth many times.

I have passed the age my father was when he went to the presence of His Lord. While He knew my three daughters, they were young enough that they don’t have a lot of memories of him. I feel so extremely blessed to know and spend time with my children’s children. I try not to take it for granted.

I hope and pray that my children and grandchildren will have “Many happy returns of the day.” But more than that, I hope and pray that they will always know and trust in Jesus as their Savior. Life with Him is more important than a long life here on earth. I am not discounting the value and blessing of life here on earth, but that is not the main or most important thing. Of greatest worth is knowing that you will be forever with the one who loved you and gave Himself up for us all that we might spend eternity in His presence.