This Christmas and New Year's season the world ached, heaved,
and groaned from the losses and tragedies of the year. Many lives have been
broken and many dreams have been shattered. More than ever the world needs
to see the light of love that came down on that very first Christmas. There
is a story about a man who, as he walked along the beach, picked up starfish
and tossed them back into the ocean. A curious passerby asked why he did
that. There were hundreds of those starfish on the beach. What difference
would it make? The man picked up another one and as he tossed it in the
ocean he replied, "It made a difference to that one!" We can make a difference,
too, by letting our light so shine that those whose lives we touch will
be encouraged, and regain hope for the year ahead.