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"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16 (Amp)

Let, not prevent or forbid, but allow your light to shine. 
 
When it becomes dark we need light.  The action of turning on “the light” or light switch has become ingrained in our modern day life. When the Sun goes down and the sunlight begins to fade…on goes the light switch or light sensitive lights are activated automatically.

We are encouraged, in Scripture, to let our lights shine.  Unlike light sensitive bulbs, however, our lights may not come on automatically when dark situations descend on us.   

Dark situations take on so many different forms.  Dark, defined as the absence of light in a place, is used here as a metaphor for challenges and difficulty.  Daunting and merciless difficulty usually comes when we are  least prepared for it.  Unexpected tragedy, wars, loss of life and outright evil mindedness…

How do we shine in such darkness?  

Deliberately and without qualms.  We are to LET our light shine, to give way for light to burst free.  Let suggests choice and also provision.  Light is available to us, however, we need to allow it to shine.  Just as darkness can fall upon us, our light has the potential to suppress the dark.   

When we light a candle in the dark, darkness is suppressed.  In the same way, light representing hope, holiness, God-likeness, happiness, joy, justice and peace has great potential to be supreme.  As a human race we have great potential to let this type of light shine.

I share this to encourage someone…and myself.   Light overcomes the dark.  We must LET our light shine today.

​Transition
: a change or shift from one state, subject, place, etc. to another
: a period or phase in which such a change or shift is happening
: something that links one state, subject, place, etc. to another : a connecting part or piece
: a passage linking two sections of a piece of music : BRIDGE



 
Transition in the elementary school setting is critical.  Children in the early stages of human development can be very egocentric and alarmed by change.  It is hard for them to disengage from a current activity. A type of inertia or unwillingness to move or change often takes hold of them. 
 
Transition, a change from one state of being to another can be a welcome shift or a disturbing interruption. Transition can be used to describe the internal reaction to outward change.
 
 
Transition is also connection:
 “...connect one distinct state, subject or place to another.” (Merriam Webster).
 
This type of change is experienced quite succinctly in music.  A specific melody is used to link two different musical parts with what is often called a bridge.
 
In Scripture, transition is highlighted through many different circumstances.  Some of the most distinct are Adam and Eve’s transition from original state to “fallen” state. The time of Noah when the flood took place, Abram and Sarai transition to Abraham the father of faith and Sarah his wife and mother of “distinguished” nations.  Transition from the first King of Israel, King Saul to King David and so much more.
 
The current state of the human race is in a time of transition. Trauma and challenge experienced through, what has been described as, a world-wide pandemic, the effects of climate change on weather patterns and other ensuing environmental disasters. There are wars and rumors of wars.   Ever changing technology and hence change in apparatus for communication, the modes for travel are shifting, for example, gas to electric cars.
 
Most significantly, in Christianity, various structures for corporate worship and fundamental cores in the religious Christian belief systems are being shaken and reevaluated.  Yet Scripture remains steadfast and includes prophecy regarding this very time.
 
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams… And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  Acts 2:17
 
A peaceful transition can take place in our lives as we seek and find the meaning of life through our Creator, God.  When we sincerely seek God, pray, and ask Him to forgive us and become Lord of our lives, transition will take place. 
 
Faith, an ongoing state of being, can bring us into a relationship with God. Salvation, a gift for all who recognize the gift of Jesus Christ to all,  can take place once and for all time when prayed for sincerely.
 
 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
 
There is a transition available through salvation.  Shift or go deeper into the purpose driven life you have been created to live!
 
 
 
 

re·demp·tion
/rəˈdem(p)SHən/
noun

1. the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.
   "God's plans for the redemption of his world"
   synonyms: saving, saving/freeing from sin, vindication, absolution
2. the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt.
   

Oxford Dictionaries


THE TEST

The testing of Jesus the Christ in the wilderness is remembered in this season by many Christians.  Before his ministry begins, testing or temptation is allowed in the wilderness by the enemy.  This is the beginning of Jesus' ministry and the awesome plan of God for the redemption of humankind.

Jesus' actions are examples for us on our journey of faith.  Preparation for spiritual warfare, living as the Spirit of God leads us and much more are exemplified through the person of Jesus Christ our Lord:

"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 
After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
​Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’' Matthew 4. verses 1-4.

This is a season that can be used to go deeper into reflection, prayer and fasting, meditation and other spiritual disciplines.  Connection with other like minded individuals, in community, can be a helpful and beneficial choice at this time. 

Let's seek God and go deeper into a meaningful relationship with Him. ​

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Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/K. Gordon (University of Arizona) & S. Willner (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics)




Advent:
the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event
CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY:  
​the coming or second coming of Christ
Oxford Language Dictionary




A lot happened before Jesus, the Christ, was laid in a manger.  The advent or arrival of a notable person or event in the earth realm was momentous! The second coming of Christ also promises to be illuminating!

“Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.”  (Matthew 1:18-19).

Mary became pregnant through the Holy Spirit.  Her husband, whom one can  sympathize with,  planned to divorce her without making any fuss or demands, however, an angel advised him not to reject Mary.

Fear of infidelity, pregnancy, thoughts about divorce, distrust, disappointment, pain, humiliation. The latter was experienced, in significant ways by Mary and Joseph. 

After supernatural intervention, Joseph and Mary committed to each other as husband and wife.  There are situations that may seem insurmountable, however, with God all things are possible.  Mary and Joseph were selected to support and facilitate the birth and growth of the person of Jesus Christ who is Holy God manifested in the flesh.  God Head - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Three in One.  

Like Joseph, our Father in heaven is committed to us, His Creation.  Our infidelities and imperfections do not nullify the grace the Lord has for us.  We have been given choice and there are consequences.  Scripture also highlights a time the Lord will come back for a church "without spot or wrinkle."


Soon after Jesus’ birth they had to escape to Egypt in Africa.   In an attempt to kill King Jesus, who the wisemen had sought and found, Herod ordered all boys from birth to two years old to be murdered.   It is hard to fathom the senseless slaughter of new born babies and children.


“A voice is heard in Ramah weeping and great mourning…”  Matthew 2:18


In the book of Matthew it is recorded that dreams, visions and divine visitations were used to inform Joseph and Mary and all those who were witnesses before, during and after the birth of Jesus, the Christ.  One of the most significant visitations is recorded in the book of Luke:


“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”  (Luke 2:14).


Signs and glorious wonders were an integral part of the birth of Jesus.  What signs are we seeing today?   The covenant word, the Bible, highlights the promise that Jesus will return. 

During this advent season we can use this time, in faith, to rejoice in the birth of Christ Jesus, and also prepare for His return.

“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”  Hebrews 9:27-28


Look up! for the promised advent of Jesus the Christ.





​© 2018-2025  Annette O. Brown Creations, Media. All rights reserved. Written permission must be secured by the author.

A weed - a plant that  is not valued  where it is growing and usually vigorous growth. especially one that tends to overgrow or choke out more desirable plants.  (merriam-webster.com


   "The Secret Garden”, a classic children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnette, is one of my favorite childhood literary experiences.  The imagery is vivid and inspiring.  Currently, I am attempting to master the art of gardening. Gardens encompass rich lessons and insights regarding most aspects of the human spiritual journey...


(Extract of reflection.)
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