In the middle of December in Ohio, I’m already thinking of leaving my lighted Christmas decorations up through the winter, at least through January. Our daylight hours are short and our sunny days are few, so I’ve been plugging in our lighted village, Christmas trees, mantle garland, and outdoor nativity scene well before dinner time. The sparkle and glow of the tiny bulbs brightens my mood. I’m pleased with the way our new home looks in it’s Christmas attire.
A perfect place for the skinny tree we bought last year
with our Christmas Village displayed in the background
Arriving at our new home in October, I envisioned our long deck railing wrapped with Christmas lights. Then son Eric told us about the solar powered Christmas lights they purchased this year. A light bulb came on in my head. Those lights could be delivered to our home to be put up and enjoyed without running cords to electric outlets. They would come on and go off automatically, easily and beautifully, with no need to step onto the snowy deck.
What it takes to be able to plug in one cord and light the whole village
When the 72 feet of multi-colored solar powered LED lights arrived, I put them aside until Thanksgiving Day. That morning Dave set the two solar panels in our sun room windowsill to be charged. Later we wrapped the railings with the tiny lights and strapped the panels to the posts. For once, we could hardly wait for darkness to come!
The sparrow’s eye is on the lights
The sun went down, daylight faded, and both light strands came to life, bringing smiles and Christmas cheer to us and our neighbors. Now we waited to see how long the battery charge would last, hoping for the listed maximum of 6 hours. I was up early the next morning, well before sunrise, and to my surprise and delight, the colorful lights were still aglow! The sun rose and the lights went off.
At day’s end one stranded lighted and then the other, but we were disappointed in their lackluster appearance, some barely visible, having enough power to stay on until we went to bed, extinguishing before daylight. Some adjustments needed to be made in order to get those batteries recharged by the sun, especially on cloudy days. We removed the solar panels from the shadowy deck railing and stuck them in a flower pot on wheels.
When the first snow fell, leaving an icy coating on the panels, Dave shoveled his way to the flower pot and cleaned off the panels to enable recharging. The lights are not maintenance free, but we’re enjoying them. On sunny days, we can anticipate bright evening lights. On cloudy days, they’re a bit anemic, but still pretty. The early onset of darkness is less depressing when we’re anticipating their brightness.
During this season, in a year that seems darker than most, I realize that my spirit needs recharging every day, multiple times a day. Without being able to anticipate some of our most treasured Christmas gatherings at church or with family or friends, with many of us experiencing sadness and worry, some of us enduring sickness or grief,
WE NEED LIGHT IN OUR LIVES.
Reminders on our refrigerator
We need to recharge our batteries, to be infused with power, to keep the light of hope and JOY shining. In my life, this means spending time with Jesus, praying and reading the Bible, paying attention to His Spirit’s nudges, and taking my negative thoughts captive (that’s the hardest one for me). What I seem to forget is that turning my thoughts and eyes toward Jesus dispels the darkness. Giving my anxious thoughts to Him, trusting Him to handle the things that are concerning me, and adjusting my heart to receive the power of His presence will recharge my spirit. As I focus on the Light of the World, my dark days become brighter and I am able to encourage others.
Here are a few of the words penned by King David and given to us in the Psalms to help us recharge our faith.
PSALM 4:6
Many are asking, “Who can show us any good?” Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.
PSALM 19:8
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
PSALM 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?
PSALM 56:13
For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
PSALM 76:4
You are resplendent with light, more majestic than mountains rich with game.
PSALM 104:2
He wraps himself in light as with a garment
PSALM 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
PSALM 119:130
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.