Let the light of Christ shine within you for others to see

It is the day after Christmas, and we who love the holiday have celebrated in more ways than you can shake a stick at.

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Cochran

We have exchanged gifts. As I write, a friend has just showed me the purple and red Miss Chatterbox ornament that she acquired during a Sunday school gift swap. It is ... colorful.

We have enjoyed huge meals with family gathered from far-flung places. I am especially lucky, as I have a sister in Sylvania, Ga., who just happens to be the best cook in the world. With lovingly prepared turkey and stuffing, sweet potato pie and all the rest, the feast that she prepared was waddle-away good.

Many of us gathered Thursday evening for Christmas Eve services. At First Christian, the sanctuary filled with soft candlelight as we symbolically shared Christ's holy light from candle to candle throughout the congregation.

It is, perhaps, my favorite thing that we do each year. As we sang Silent Night , we first took light from the freshly lighted Christ candle at the center of the Advent wreath. Then, we shared the light among ourselves.

Slowly, light filled the darkened sanctuary as it spread from one person to the next. Finally we stood, each of us holding a lighted candle as we sang. It was a way of remembering that we should also each take the light and share it throughout the world.

It is the day after Christmas. What do we do now? Well, the candle is still lighted. Each of us is responsible for sharing the light.

I am not suggesting that anyone should proselytize. If you carry the light of Christ within you, you will live in such a way that others can see it without having to strain their eyes.

On this day after Christmas, let your light shine so that others may see it.

THE REV. CHARLES COCHRAN IS THE PASTOR OF FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) IN DOWNTOWN AUGUSTA.