Letty glanced left and right at all the houses en route. "They will dazzle, at night," she thought. She noted which homes had candles in the windows and promised herself, "Come what may, I'm coming out for a stroll this evening to see all the deco lights but especially the lit candles".
Oh, how she loved window candles! They reminded her of her home, growing up. Her Mom, about two weeks before Christmas, would set up a candle in each the windows in every room of the house. She loved looking at them, especially from outdoors, at night, when they shone.
Letty continued the tradition with her own family and did so still even though she and Linc were empty nesters. She'd put her candles up a week ago. She reminisced the yearly explanation her Mom gave and that, of course, she similarly passed on to her own children.
She'd say, "Do you know what my name Leticia means?"
When they were younger, her children would vie to answer, shouting, "JOY!"
"OK, why Joy?"
"Well," they'd chorus, not to be outdone by each other, "you were born at Christmas time and you brought joy to Grandpa and Grandma."
"Right again, children," Letty'd say.
"Now, why do Grandma and I love to have candles in the windows?"
Again, they'd gleefully answer, "Because we celebrate Jesus' birthday and He is the Light of the world. He brought the Light of His salvation and joy to our hearts. To remind us," they'd finish.
"Oh my children. You are correct again. Always remember this. Also, because we have Jesus, we are supposed to be light to the world too."
"Yes, Mammy!"
They loved it and she loved it. She smiled happily as she trudged up her walkway to her inviting home-sweet-home door, which was currently wreathed in evergreen bower. And, you guessed it, the wreath framed a candle in the door window.
Merrily, Letty carefully cinched up her overflowing hands to reach the doorbell and rang it. She really couldn't manage the key and the bundles simultaneously. She chuckled when her husband Lincoln opened the door, shocked to see her and her overflowing burdens. "Hello dear, haul me in!" she grinned.
She was about out of puff and huff. She really should shed a few kilos but ugh, how could she at Christmastime, the jolliest time of the year for her. "I'd love a wee spot of tea, dear Linc. I'm about out of tucker."
"I can see why, Letty. Why didn't you call me, I'd of come to fetch your burdens. Oh and you, too," he teased.
"I wanted to see all the Christmas deco cheer, dear," Letty rhymed, as she unburdened herself of her armloads, whooshing out a great contented sigh as she flopped into her armchair. "Give me a bit to catch my breath and I'll join you in the kitchen."
"Ok, dear," Lincoln smiled. He loved his Leticia. She was always so good-hearted, generous, and caring, and these statistics skyrocketed this time of year, he noted. Always outdoing herself. She'd come home needing pampering but he didn't mind. He still loved her deeply after all these 35 some years but it might be time to pull on the reigns a bit. They weren't getting any younger. He guessed though what she'd say if he mentioned it.
He quoted softly to himself,
"Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace" (Proverbs 17:28).
Ha, ha. "It's a useful memory verse". He laughed to himself at his own private joke as he busied himself with the tea things. His Letty was a wonder.
He was just putting the finishing touches to their tea when she came out looking a mite better than when she'd arrived. She, true to her name, brought joy, sunshine and sparkle to his life.
"I'm so grateful to you Linclon; you do know that, right? I couldn't do what I do without your back-up support," she thanked him from the bottom of her heart.
"Yes dear Letty, I know. I couldn't do without you. I'm more of a "slow lane" chap and do love to fill in the gaps for you," he responded tenderly.
They bowed their heads and thanked the Lord for their tea, each other and especially for Jesus, the Light of the world. Amen.
A few sips of tea and nibbles of pre-Christmas Christmas cookies later, Letty was feeling recharged. "Oh Linc, let's take an evening stroll tonight. It's that time of year and I want to savor the Christmas candle windows."
"Well now, I guess we could, at that. I was thinking it was 'bout time to take our traditional Christmas Candle Evening Walk. I've made some of my cinnamon-cranberry-orange juice we can nip into when we return.
Lincoln was one for puns so asked her playfully, "What would you get if you put a candle inside a suit of armor?"
"Linc! Not a pun!" she groaned. "You know I'm no good with the pun-ch lines." Letty twittered, "but I do love your choices. Do tell..."
More than hoping to oblige, he gave in easily and said, "I'd get a knight-light."
The both had a good laugh. "Cute one" Letty said. "Anymore?"
"Ok, how about this one; did you know you could light candles with pieces of dry spaghetti?"
"No, I did not." Letty wondered how one could get a pun out of this one."How is that?"
Laughing, Lincoln told her, "by using your noodle."
They chortled and snickered together, a great guffaw.
Revived by tea, crumpets and puns, Letty was on her feet, "Well, I'll scare us up something a bit more substantial to fortify us for our walk. I can't wait to peer into peoples' windows and see what we can see besides the candles aglow." Oh, she was incorrigble!
"Leticia Marie Chinery! You should be ashamed of yourself. What happened to your manners!" Lincoln chided, companionably.
"I know, I know. More seriously, we shall pray for each of the neighbors that they will truly know Jesus, the Light of the world. That Jesus brought and still brings them His love, joy, peace, holy living as well as His light. May this Child Who was born so long ago to be their Savior, become their personal Lord and Savior, Redeemer, Friend and not just be the excuse to celebrate a nominal festive holiday. May His Light shine from their hearts too."
Lincoln concurred. "Amen! I'll be in my study. Just call if you need me."
"Thanks, dear," Letty called to him as he shuffled out of the kitchen.
Rummaging about her fridge and cupboards, Letty prepared a quick repast. It was only 5:30 pm, maybe they could eat in an hour. Clear up and be out the door by seven or so.
Promptly at 7:11 pm Linc and Letty bundled up and stepped out into their neighborhood light show. They ambled along amicably de-lighting in all the decorations especially where there were candles in windows. They stopped and prayed at each home, leaving their "secret calling cards" in the respective mail boxes. These were token samples of each type of Christmas goodie cookies, Letty had made, and Lincoln had packaged up, that particular year.
Most of the neighbors guessed these were from Letty and Lincoln but had never, in the 20 years they'd lived there, surprizingly, had never been caught in the act. Lincoln and Letty never knew exactly which day they'd deliver and pray; so it was anyone's guess. As they posted the cookies they'd pray together in whispers, "May this home be lit by the Light of Jesus."
Letty of course, would take her peer and peek into any of the open curtained windows and ooh and aah at Christmas deco, almost sounding as if she were an owl. Lincoln would titter quietly to himself, enjoying the whole drama that was Leticia. Sometimes she'd stand on tiptoe or ask him to lift her up so she could see better. He drew the line at that and would never do it but it amused her to always ask. She loved to tease him.
It began to snow light, fluffy flakes and like children, they titled their heads upwards and caught some on their tongues, dancing and giggling together on the sidewalk. What a lovely evening! Sometime after 8 they entered their own home, and never forgetting to bless their own place, prayed, "Lord may Your light continue to shine forth from this our home, which is at your disposal. Thank-You for Jesus, our Light."
Shedding their winter wraps, they cuddled up before their fireplace, gazing at the dancing flames, speaking softly to one another and sipping their cranberry concoctions. Letty murmured, "Tomorrow is our women's shelter day. This year the gifts are quilts. I feel so blessed, Lincoln. You are such a good, caring husband. It's only right I can help those less fortunate in marriage or family ties. Did I ever tell you how grateful I am for you?" Letty sleepily quieried.
"Yes, Letty, you have," Lincoln purred into her ear. "I'm so grateful for you too. You are the love and light of my life and I'm so glad I don't have to sneak a peek into someone elses life and windows to see peace and contentment. Not that you do either, of course but you get my meaning. Most important to me is the Light of Jesus which radiates from your countenance. You are my Christmas Candle and you have lit my life well. Truly - you are joy to my soul Leticia Chinery!"
Letty's face was set alight more brilliantly then. She rested her head happily upon Lincoln's shoulder. It was an end to a perfect Chritmas Candle Window Walk Evening. Softly, she began to sing, "For unto us a child was born." Linc joined her on, "...a Son is given, a Son is given...."
~ERC December2021~
Sing, Unto Us a Child is Born, Tabernacle Choir.
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