It’s a Lamplighter Christmas!! So, what does that mean?
My chosen scripture is from the book of Psalms 119:105, “Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path.” His Word warms our hearts with a Light to be shared.
Being a Lamplighter means you light the path for others.
Before the advent of electricity, a lamplighter would light each lamp along the streets before dusk, and at dawn would return to extinguish them. Their equipment included whale blubber for lamp oil, wick trimmers, and a ladder. When George’s great-grandfather immigrated to the U.S. and settled in Scottdale in the mid 1800’s, that was one of his jobs, along with being the town constable. He was also a staunch Presbyterian and helped to found the local Presbyterian church.
So — He helped light the way for others — literally and spiritually.
And you do, as well. You share your light with others simply with a smile, or a kind word. Or the extra donation that you contribute to the Salvation Army kettle on your way out of the grocery store, or the extra food donated to your local food pantry. Those all bring light and hope to another’s life.
On the first Sunday of Advent, we lit the first candle of the advent wreath at church, the candle of hope. The hope of the Christ Child to come. The Christ Child who would bring us the Word of God incarnate. The hope of eternal life, if we only believe in Him and accept Him.
From John 8:12 – “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
This Christmas season is the perfect time for us to renew our promise to share His light with the world. Christmas is the season of light. There are lights all around us to remind us of God’s light within us and that we are to share that light with others, by being a lamplighter.
I wish for each of you a very happy Holiday Season, whatever that holiday might be, and a MERRY LAMPLIGHTER CHRISTMAS!!! God Bless!!