Well, it is a new year! Best wishes for a new beginning. However, it is still a dark time of the year. It gets dark so quickly in the afternoon, even though it is moving toward a longer day. The mornings are dark also. Sometimes it feels like the dark is taking over at this time of the year.  

We can rejoice in the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ, coming to us as a small baby in the dark of night. He came to bring redeeming light to us. To bring words of hope and love to us. Yes, that unconditional love that we like to talk about and cherish. To show us by his example how to live with each other in peace. 

My title references a beautiful, energetic hymn urging Jesus to shine in our lives. Treat yourself to a listen today. Sing along with the artist and feel the light fill your soul. This song needs to be sung with gusto and a big smile on your face. Just the action of singing will bring light into your life and happiness into your heart. 

God loves you unconditionally-all the time! No matter what you think or do. No matter how sad or mad you are. There is no action that you can take that will stop God from loving you. With this love comes the strengthening grace that will guide you every day. Take the grace, it is freely given and a powerful flashlight for living.   

Happy New Year! Bonne Année! Alles Gute zum neuen Jahr! ¡Feliz Año Nuevo! 

Terri