When we think about Christmas, what comes to mind? For me, I remember being taken by the hand by my older sister, Dolores, to see the lights in Jacob's shop window.

The year was 1952 and I was four years of age. I can remember that evening as being dusky and windy. We ran along the narrow footpath precariously, being blown about by a steady wind. Finally, (about 5 houses along) we reached the magical shop window. I remember staring at the lights as if mesmerised for what may have been a long time or a few minutes. It was an awesome moment in my young life.

Being very good girls we had to go home after our viewing. My sister was super careful to be obedient, so I reluctantly left the sparkling window.

It was Christmas. Our dad was not around as he had gone by ship to UK earlier in the year, seeking work. Our family consisted of Mum and four children. Two were younger than I was. But, nothing could prevent me from feeling very excited by those brilliant lights.

Everything that happened seemed so exciting. We saw baby Jesus at the church stable and of course that was just a little doll. Santa also managed to light our fire upstairs in the front bedroom (two bedrooms were both at the front anyway). Santa locked the door and left the key, clever man. Inside the upper room were two little strollers, one for each of the two oldest children, my sister and me. Unfortunately Santa forgot to leave us a dolly to put in there, so I became the baby in the stroller, which I dearly hated as I considered myself a "big girl" because I had a little brother and sister. But, my sister and our friend next door (they owned a shop) used to  play "Housey" with me being the baby. I remember the anger I felt even now!  I also remember a black cat with a red ribbon coming into our house, which was good luck, but bad luck if it turned up within certain days of Christmas. (It was a hoax by a fun neighbour) I remember that we were all laughing when we found out, but I still had suspicions about bad luck, whatever that might be for a four year old. 

Christmastime can bring people to a different place, such as bad memories and loved ones who strayed or are gone from this world. As we get older we amass more sad memories and experience more sad days of tragedy and sorrow.

But, God, in His Wisdom, sent his son as a helpless baby to come to our planet. Indeed Jesus was and is an alien who does not belong here in the human sense, yet he was prepared to let go of his own glory in Heaven to become a baby. A child who was destined to die a cruel death on the cross at Calvary. We all know this story and still marvel at what happened, bad  and good.

Jesus Christ (anointed Saviour) is still the one waiting to bring the light of life to everyone who calls on His name. Jesus claims mount up to declare Himself as God, (My Lord and my God) said doubting Thomas. Jesus sits on the right hand of the Throne, always alive to make intercession (like a court witness) for people down on planet earth. Jesus himself said, "I am the light of the world".

Light is very attractive to those who have known only darkness. People are sometimes seen as "lights" in the world. My mother was a light for us kids. She had to cope with four little ones on her own for two and a half years, which must have seemed an eternity. During that period of time, I came to love Jesus the little baby and often imagined Jesus standing in his crib in heaven looking down at me at night when we said "Our Prayers" which Mum taught us.

My journey with Jesus Christ, my Teacher, my Friend, my Saviour, Redeemer and my God, began at Christmas after I saw the lights in Jacob's shop window in a humble town called Leixlip.

I began my new "life"  in 1983 when I turned to Jesus for salvation from sin and death and condemnation.  He has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you."

He waits for you. He is coming back.

"Pixabay" picture thank you.

Image by reblbug Pixabay