The sanctuary was dim as the Christmas Eve service began tonight. From one candle, those in the room passed on the flame, person to person. Slowly the room grew brighter and brighter as we sang Silent Night and praised God for sending His One and Only Son.

My attention was on my son, whose eyes shone brighter than the candle he was holding. At his first Christmas Eve service, he sat in rapt attention, listening to the story of Jesus’ birth and his dad leading wonderfully familiar Christmas carols. But it was when holding his candle and watching the flickering glow that Christmas came alive. Jackson began singing loudly with such a smile on his sweet face:

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, Love’s pure light
Radiant beam on thy holy face
With the dawn on redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth

As the service ended, and everyone blew out their candles to leave, Jackson’s candle kept burning. He didn’t want to put it out. I didn’t want him to either. The beauty of that moment was one that needed to be captured, so I had him stand in front of one of the Christmas trees to take a picture. I wanted to remember the wonder and hope in his eyes as he stared at the light.

That’s the way I want to gaze at Jesus, with childlike faith that radiates with absolute joy while reflecting the Light of the World.

May your Christmas be filled with wonder and the light of Jesus!