Carter was playing on the floor and suddenly turned around pointing at the Christmas tree. I wasn’t sure what he wanted, but I took a chance and plugged up the lights. His face lit up and he scooted over closer. He laid on his stomach, propped up on his elbows and just watched the Christmas tree. With the lights turned on, the tree came to life.

It made me think: that tree looked plain and dull without the lights on, but when the lights came on, all of the ornaments on the outside began to sparkle and shine. It went from being a plain old tree with stuff hanging on it to an inviting Christmas tree with beautiful adornment brought to life by the lights.

Which tree are you? Are you the plain old tree? The one that has a few pretty things attached to the outside that are hidden in the dull branches? Or are you the tree that has the light of Jesus shining brightly making you sparkle and shine?

Have you turned on your lights today?