I know this sounds strange, but... putting Christmas lights up was a significant experience for me this year. Growing up we always had them, and so did everyone else on the block. But for the first 6 years of our marriage, Holly and I lived in appartments and never really put Christmas lights outside.

But this year we have a house, and so I spent some time last night hanging the lights around the house outside. When I was done it was obvious that we were the only house around with lights. I know most people put up lights because it is tradition, but for me, this year, it felt like more of a declaration than a tradition. I almost felt vulnerable as I was the only one around declaring "Yes, I worship Jesus, here are my lights to show it." Go ahead, you can laugh at that.

So my house sits in a dark nieghborhood, the only one lit up with lights, not affraid to say, "This little light of mine..."