BEING A LIGHT by Robert Soto (Posted on an email from Words from the Creator)

BEING A LIGHT
By Robert Soto
Posted on an email from Words from the Creator

November 28, 2009

Matthew 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Today I had a lot of work to do. Each year I put up a large Christmas light display which averages about fourteen thousand little Christmas lights, that takes about three weeks to organize and display. I have been doing this for over fifteen years and each year I sort of wonder why I do it. I did not start off with fourteen thousand lights but slowly worked up to it with the continuing thought of adding even more next year. It gets so bright outside my house that you can actually read a book with the light produced by the little lights. When it gets cold, you can feel a little bit warmer standing out in my front yard than you do inside the house. But it seems like each year it takes more and more effort. It takes me a little longer to climb up and down the ladder and each morning I wake up with a little more pain than I want to. I guess this is all a sign of the times and of me getting older.

I get asked a lot of questions each year. One question is how much does it cost to light up fourteen thousand lights and the answer is always the same, "More than I have in the bank." Another question I get asked is "How long does it take to put up the display?" It depends on the weather but anywhere between three and four weeks. But the question I get asked the most is, "Why do you do it?" I guess I do it for the satisfaction that comes from knowing that I am bringing a little smile and a warm feeling to the hearts of the hundreds of people who will stop in front of my house. In many ways I am taking the passage in Matthew literally when Jesus said, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." For one thing that makes my display different than most of the rest in town, is that it is centered around the true meaning of Christmas - Jesus Christ. So through a few lights in my front yard, I am being a light unto the world and bringing a smile and the joy of Christmas to someone's heart.

Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:

McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church