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His life is the light that shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 1:5 (The Living Bible)

For many years our house on the corner shone forth light at Christmas.

We placed a simple Nativity set out front and a brightly lit tree in the front window. It was our quiet way of saying, “Those in this house celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ, we do not “do” Happy Holidays or Merry XMas here”.

Neighbors commented how bright that Nativity set was in the darkness; and we enjoyed knowing that strangers would see our quiet statement as they drove by. We always wondered if one of them would be prompted to turn to Christ as the true meaning of Christmas because of that scene.

Then came the year our house on the corner was dark.

There was no Nativity set that year, nor was there a tree in the window. My husband was in a care center and decorations that year were in his room – a simple fiber optic tree and not much else. It was alien to me – not having a tree or that Nativity set. Yet, with a job that kept me away all day and my time spent with him in the evenings there really wasn’t time for a tree at home. And I really didn’t have the energy for it anyway. That was our last Christmas together. He passed in May.

Christmas was approaching

As Fall came rolling in, and the darkness of winter days arrived. I struggled with thoughts of what to do about Christmas decorating. I could not bear the thought of unpacking the tree we always set up together with all those special ornaments that held so many memories. Yet, I could also not bear the thought of our corner house being dark again, with no quiet statement celebrating Christ’s birth. The tree in the window and the Nativity set went together – I could not have one without the other.

My prayer

The Lord gave me a wonderful idea – use the Nativity set – but get a smaller, different tree this year. Off to the store I went, determined to make my way through the sadness of seeing couples together and listening to all the songs. It was exhausting, but I came home laden with a small, two foot white tree, blue lights and ornaments to match. I was delighted, except for one small detail – I was unable to find a tree topper of the appropriate size and color. The following day, the Nativity set went up, and so did that little tree. What a wonderful light it brought into my life – except for the very bare top of that tree!

After hours online and another shopping trip that little tree top remained bare. Frustrated, I placed the matter at God’s feet and let it go. I was grateful for what I had accomplished and so glad that our house was displaying light again at Christmas.

An unexpected surprise

A few days later I had to make a quick trip to the local dollar store. It was a difficult, grey, sad day, and I avoided the Christmas aisle, determined to get in and out as quickly as possible because the tears were waiting to spill. A bit of glitter caught my eye – and there on a stack of totally unrelated merchandise it sat – a silver butterfly – just the right size and color for my little tree!

I don’t think it matters how that particular butterfly got to that spot waiting for me. What matters is the message God sent me that day: He cares so much that He arranged for me to find that tree topper – a butterfly meaning Hope and Promise.

I never would have thought of a butterfly at Christmas – yet, since God knows they are my very favorite thing, He sent a bright silver one – into the darkness of my widow days – just as He sent His Son into the darkness of the world to be the Light of the World.

Dear Father, these days hold so much darkness for us. Not only because it is winter when the darkness is deep, but because of our sadness and grief. This season is incredibly painful as we remember years past. We long for the way it used to be. We know You have a plan for us and are with us through it all. Help us to focus on the Light this year – the Light of Your Son and the promise of eternal life with You that He brings. Amen