Every year around Christmas my grandpa Stutzman sends out a letter and sometimes a poem. This year he shared an extended poem in tribute to grandma who passed away last November. I just started reading it. My grandpa Stutzman was a pastor for many years and he still loves to write. Maybe that is where I get some of my passion for writing and speaking. He has been an inspiration to me over the years and an encouragement to finish life well. He was married for 68 years and turned 91 in September. Even now he is focused on his relationship with God and helping others with that relationship as well.
When I think of my grandpa, I think of a man that is very focused on God and the eternal, a man that loved his wife deeply and loved his children and family well. I think of a man that welcomed my wife Vikki into the family when we got married over 22 years ago, even though she was not Mennonite. I think of a man that has impeccable character and integrity. He started a book store many years ago and built that business with the help of his family. His love of books and reading and poetry has been passed on to many in the family. He loved to preach and has told me that many times. I think it’s the one thing he misses most since his retirement. I thought I would share some of his letter entitled “Joyous Christmas Season 2011” that he sent to family and friends this Christmas as a tribute to David Stutzman:
Another Christmas season has arrived. With that season comes the knowledge that the year is coming to a close. Though we do not know the exact date of Christ’s arrival, I think it is quite interesting that we are closing the year on a joyous note. So to my many friends and loved ones I wish a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR. In your prosperity keep your focus firmly fixed on the Eternal. Make that your New Year’s resolution.
Two words in John 1:4, and I love them; Life and Light. Then a third word in verse 9 is descriptive, “That was the True Light”. Verse 4 then is so profound. “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Jesus arrived in a dark world, so it was soon clear that He was that true light. True life is always luminous. It always lights up and is revealing. Jesus himself said in John 14A:6 “I am the way, (for going) the truth, (for knowing) and the life, (for growing).” It is very clear then that Jesus was that True Light.
The reason for the Father to send His Son into a dark world is very interesting. His sole purpose was to put that light into some being where it would luminously shine. He did not choose the angels because they were already lighted up. For example, if I take my flashlight into a brightly lit room and turn it on, it would not be noticeable. But if I take it into a dark room it will shine brightly. So the Father sends His True Light and Life into a dark world. He places that light into us darken sinners and makes us alive and luminously shining. I become the showcase that the True Light is lighting up. The glory is not mine, but it belongs to the Illuminator. May we this Christmas season thank God for the True Light and Life. May our lives be a luminous glow for Jesus.
I hope that was a blessing to you as we head toward Christmas. Shine brightly! Love you Grandpa.