how the light gets in

by Andrea Smithberger
how the light gets in
  • November 1: Honoring
  • Day 2: Signaling
  • Day 3: Revealing
  • DAY 4: Reminding
  • Day 5: Reflecting
  • Day 6: Changing
  • Day 7: Surrounding
  • Day 8: Healing
  • Day 9: Filtering
  • Day 10: Spreading
  • Day 11: Unveiling
  • Day 12: Distinguishing
  • Day 13: Challenging
  • Day 14: Nourishing
  • Day 15: Unassuming
  • Day 16: Leading
  • Day 17: Delighting
  • Day 18: Reaching
  • Day 19: Shining
  • Day 20: Reviving
  • Day 21: Growing
  • Day 22: Comforting
  • Day 23: Holding Space
  • Day 24: Beckoning
  • Day 25: Stunning
  • Day 26: Igniting
  • Day 28: Introducing
  • November 2020
  • Tag: Christmas

    • Mixed Bag Christmas

      Posted at 11:37 am by How the Light Gets In, on December 25, 2022

      There’s a lump in my throat this Christmas.

      Not sure if I want to cry or smile. (I began listing all my reasons here but they’re mine to hold and release.) Here’s an example: the traditional Christmas “monkey bread” was on the table before the kids came down to open gifts and THAT made me mad and tear up… This woman is triggered. It’s just that I’m ALWAYS rushed to make it because they’re ALWAYS down here way too early to open gifts and I’m fighting them back. Not this year. Is that what it is? The always are always changing.

      I have been trying to swallow the whatever it is stuck in my throat. But, I’m realizing Christmas is a BOTH/AND kind of season. Know what I mean? 

      I’m trying something different. This year, I’m not forcing the sad away by wrapping it in big bows or hushing it with loud carols or decorating it into oblivion. 

      Instead, I’m asking myself “why” & waiting gently for the answer… 

      And the answers, big and small, come in waves.

      Some reasons I have control over, some I don’t. And that’s ok.

      Either way, I’m here for it all and I’m grateful.

      On Winter Solstice, I read a quote saying something like you can’t rush the night but you can light candles. And, I double-tapped, even shared the words. 

      But, at this moment, the peak of this season of Wait & Wonder; I’m reminded of how the 3 Kings didn’t rush the night after night of their journey to find Jesus.  

      More of the BOTH/AND here…

      They followed BOTH their calculations based on ancient prophecies AND the stars in the sky to guide their way. 

      I guess what I’m trying to say is if you’re feeling both sad and merry; it’s ok.

      There is still light to be found. 

      If you find yourself unable to “light the candles,” then look to the stars. 

      God placed them in the sky, knows them by name to call out yours. 

      A both powerful and tender declaration like “The Lord had His heart set on you and chose you.” from Deuteronomy 7:7 comforts my mixed bag heart.

      God is a BOTH/AND kind of God. He BOTH knows the hurt on your heart AND wants to comfort you, through candles or stars (or both).

      Again, there is light to be found.

      If you find yourself unable to “light the candles,” then look to the stars.

      Merry Christmas.

      Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged BOTH/AND, Candle, Christmas, How the Light Gets In, Jesus, Stars
    • What is your Song?

      Posted at 9:01 am by How the Light Gets In, on December 16, 2021

      What Is Your Song?

      Right this moment, where is your attention? Are you focused on checking off a gift list or preparing a holiday menu? Maybe you’re just pushing through to the end of exams or the work day. Wherever your gaze is, I’d like to hold your attention for a few moments on Jesus’ mother, Mary.

      Because I’m afraid if you look past Mary, you will miss a beautiful gift this Christmas.

      Let’s go straight to the stable the night Jesus was born. God is taking on human form and the first person He sees is Mary – his little eyes blinking open, adjusting to the light, taking in the darkness of her hair, the way her eyebrows frame her face. Jesus, God in human form, breathes in his first smells and it’s the scent of his momma that fills him. It’s her voice that will be the first sound our Savior hears as she says his name over and over – Jesus, Jesus. It’s her neck he’ll snuggle and her hold he’ll crave. When Emmanuel God with us, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty Warrior gets hungry; he’ll reach for her. 

      She is blessed among women. But to be “blessed” includes Mary watching her Son be hated, hunted down and hung on a cross. Mary shows us to be blessed is a BOTH/AND situation. A blessing can feel wonderful and heavy. It can look painful and be full of joy. She shows us how to embrace it all – carrying scripture in her thoughts and treasuring it all in her heart, giving glory to God as she takes it one day at a time.

      “Blessed art thou among women.” Mary was and is greatly esteemed for her very important “Yes.” Her legacy teaches us how about the power of partnering with God. Her legacy shows us a position of gratitude shifts the ground we walk on.

      Mary quietly shows us that holding scripture in our hearts intimately weaves the stories we’re living out with those who have gone before us and the God who is with us.

      These words are known as “Mary’s Song” she said this to her cousin Elizabeth:

      My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

      Luke 1:46-56

      Mary’s song is powerful and eloquent and sweet. The backstory here is that Mary was using some of Hannah’s song from the Old Testament in her very own song. Listen to a piece of Hannah’s:

      My heart rejoices in the Lord;
          in the Lord my horn is lifted high.
      My mouth boasts over my enemies,
          for I delight in your deliverance.

      2 “There is no one holy like the Lord;
          there is no one besides you;
          there is no Rock like our God
      .

      1 Samuel 2:1-2

      You’ve heard Mary’s song. You’ve heard Hannah’s song. But I wonder what Beth’s song sounds like? Meredith what are your lyrics? Melanie, Isabella, Keyne, Annette, Katherine, Madeline, Kathy, Taylor, Allie, Patty, Kate, Angela, Elsa, Erin, Lauren, Lucy, Rachel, Brittany, Angie, Nicka, Kristin, Becky, Lily, Avery, Diane, Amy, Janis, Mallory, Anoush, Renee, Colleen, Kellie, Josie, Mia, Robyn, Christa, Leah, Anna, Hadley, Ann Stuart, Paige, Riley, Leanna, Arezu, Juliet, Jasmin, Emili, Zareen, Barb, Audrey, Susan, Carrie, Jenna, Dana, Kim, Leslie, Tristen, Jessie, Laura, Grace, Kay, Jill, Peggy, Carin, Anita, Marissa, Courtney, Dawn, Criste, Jodi, Silvia, Shawn, Lori, Stacey, McKenzie-

      SING YOUR SONG!

      Shout for joy, daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, Israel! 

      Be glad and exult with all your heart, daughter Jerusalem!

      The LORD has removed the judgment against you, 

      he has turned away your enemies. 

      The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, 

      you have no further misfortune to fear.

      On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: 

      Do not fear, Zion, do not be discouraged. 

      The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior, 

      who will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, 

      who will sing joyfully because of you.

      Zephaniah 3:14-17

      Because of you, God is singing.

      Why are you singing this Christmas? Are you singing at all? Are you aware of what God has done for you? Can you feel Jesus making a new way in your life somewhere? Borrow some of the these phrases if you need to but take a little time to hear and understand Mary’s song. Then, discover your treasures, recognize your burdens, feel the weight of your blessedness and SING.

      Posted in DECEMBER 2021, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged 1 Samuel 2:1-2, Advent, Blessed, Christmas, How the Light Gets In, Jesus, Luke 1:45-56, Mary, Mary's Song, Song, Zephaniah 3:14-17
    • Jesus

      Posted at 1:20 pm by How the Light Gets In, on January 3, 2021

      All the Christmas decorations here are packed away (actually, maybe they’re piled in a corner of the basement).

      The house looks so bare. There’s no more glitter or garlands.

      Today, in our faith, we celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. It marks the end of Christmas and the revelation of Jesus to the Three Kings.

      Watching mass online in our “bare” house got me thinking about Mary and Joseph.

      What was it like for them to watch other people meet their baby? They knew who they were raising. They knew who their baby was. I wonder what it was like for them to witness how others received him, better yet to watch how others RECOGNIZED Jesus.

      The Star – Were Mary and Joseph aware of the unusual bright light announcing the Light of the world?

      The Shepherds – They had no status or wealth or place in their world but found themselves at the right place because they listened. We always focus on the fact Jesus was announced to shepherds in a field, that their nature (being outcast and unloved) reveals Jesus heart. But, we need to also remember Jesus was announced by a host of Angels, singing in the heavens, breaking through the dark of night; revealing Jesus power.

      The Three Kings – Men of wealth and status; traveling from Persia, following maps and calculations leading them to a star, bearing gifts to meet the King of Kings. When they arrived, they knelt before the baby. Mary-who had been pondering all these details in her heart- was her heart bursting at this point? She had said yes to bearing the shame of gossip about her pregnancy. And now Kings on bended knee, were bowing in vindication of her obedience and revelation. Did Joseph stand there in shocked gratitude?

      Now that Christmas is all wrapped up, The Epiphany begs us to look to Jesus.

      So, would you take a moment for some quiet & look to Jesus?

      Posted in JANUARY 2021, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged Angels, Christmas, Epiphany, How the Light Gets In, Isaiah 60:1-5, Jesus, Joseph, Light, Mary, Shepherds, We Three Kings
    • CHRISTMAS – Day 25

      Posted at 2:09 pm by How the Light Gets In, on December 25, 2019

      Merry Christmas

      You did it. WE did it! Hooray for us! 24 days of reading God’s word. 24 days of devoting a little time to learning God’s voice. I’m so proud of you and me!

      Take a moment to scroll all the way back to Day One. Grab a piece of paper and a pencil and jot down the websites, books, Instagram accounts, Music, Photography, Email subscriptions, Apps, Artists, Podcasts, Places, People, Recipes.

      Then, take note of what struck you most – was it the beauty, the pain, the encouragement, the community?

      Finally, we should list all the scripture from the posts. The Bible still blows my mind with all those words written so long ago and somehow still very alive and so powerful.

      You know what ALLLLL this tells me?

      GOD

      WILL

      STOP

      AT

      NOTHING.

      God will stop at nothing to get YOUR attention.

      These 24 days have just been a glimpse of how relentless God is trying to grab your attention.

      Christmas gives us the sweetest example of this. Immanuel is God with us.

      Jesus IS God with us.

      But wait, the story doesn’t end here. There’s Good News! Jesus wasn’t just born, end of story. Jesus lived a life full of friendship and story telling and healing and teaching and loving. There’s more to learn. Jesus didn’t just live for you and me. He also died for you and me.

      Today we celebrate His birth but there’s so much more.

      And hey, if you’re reading this you’re alive too which means God’s not done with you. Your story with Him might just be beginning. Or maybe you go way back. Either way, keep walking with Jesus. Read His Word. Learn His voice. Look for Him.

      Remember how we started this journey with Gods word as a “lamp for our feet”? Today let’s celebrate because the light is here. Jesus – God with us – is here “to guide our feet into the path of peace.” (Luke 1:79)

      Thank you for being with me this Advent. You have made it so special for me.

      One last song Reckless Love

      Posted in DECEMBER 2019 | 0 Comments | Tagged 1 John 1:5, 1 John 1:5-7, 1 John 5:14, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Peter 5:6, 100 Days to Brave, 2 Corinthians 1:6-7, 2 Kings 20, Acts 2:28, Advent, Ann Voskamp, Annie F Downs, Christmas, Church of the Nativity, Colossians 1:9-10, Cory Asbury, Elevation Worship, Ephesians 5:13, Exodus 33:14, Genesis 28:15, Hooray, How the Light Gets In, Isaiah 40:3-5, Isaiah 43:18-19, Jenna Mace Photography, Jesus, Jesus Calling, Job 42:5, John 11:38, Joshua 1:9, Journal, Luke 1:3-4, Luke 1:79, Matthew 14:13-21, Matthew 28:66, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 16:11, Psalm 27:14, Romans 15:13, Romans 15:4-5, Wonder, Zephaniah 3:17
    • ‘Tis the Season

      Posted at 3:20 pm by How the Light Gets In, on December 9, 2017

      Tis the Season…

      A Season of Wonder.

      What kind of wonder though?

      There’s a lot of heavy out there in our world with the tweets that never end, faces of starving children in faraway places, news of a friend burying his first son, tension among every color.

      There’s a lot to do out there, crossing off Christmas wish lists, big memories that need to be made, gingerbread making, cookie decorating, party hosting.

      There’s a lot to feel out there in our world; loneliness, pain, regret.

      Do you feel it?

      All that can lead your heart to a different form of wonder; wonder-ing why, wonder-ing how, wonder-ing when.  Then, Christmas becomes a finish line to cross.  Let’s not do Christmas that way, okay?

      Christmas is so much more.  And to make it more, YOU have to let go.  Release the questions, the pain, the anger.  Give it to God.  Right now.  Look up, open your hands and say, “please take this.”  That’s called faith.  And it is hard, I know.  I know.  But, it is so good.  Faith is believing, trusting in the unseen God.

      Faith is the ingredient with the power to change a season of wonder-ing into a Season of Wonder. 

      Look up the book of Luke.  Right now.  This is a bossy blog post.  But, he put a lot of work into his story for us.  Luke says in chapter 1 verses 3-4, he “investigated everything from the very beginning and decided to write an orderly account for you… so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”  I love that he investigated for us.  Maybe he wondered if his ‘orderly account’ would make faith easier for US to try.

      Now that you’ve read it; Clear out the heavy and make room for a miracle.  I don’t know what your miracle might look like.  I’m happy to pray for it with you, if you like.

      Christmas celebrates one of the sweetest miracles, Jesus’ birth.

      I wonder if that’s why God sent his son as a baby… so we would want to get a closer look?  So we would want to see, hold and love Him.

      I wonder how many times we will watch “Home Alone.”

      I wonder how many times I’ll blubber at Josh Groban singing “O Holy Night.”

      I wonder if you’ll open the story of Luke and open your heart to the miracle of Jesus.

      I love the wonder of it all.

      Posted in DECEMBER 2017 | 2 Comments | Tagged Christmas, How the Light Gets In, Luke 1:3-4, Wonder

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