25 Oct, 2006
Light it up!
Bostonians light 30,128 pumpkins
BOSTON - Bostonians on Saturday lit 30,128 pumpkins on Boston Common, shattering the world record for the most jack-o'-lanterns lit in one place.
"It's fantastic," said Jim Laughlin, a spokesman for Life is Good, the Boston clothing company that sponsored the event. "We've been going after this record for a long time."
The old record of 28,952 lit pumpkins had been held since 2003 by Keene, N.H. That city tried to keep up with their own attempt Saturday, but lit only 24,682 pumpkins.
In Boston, an estimated 100,000 people crowded onto the Common to slice, scoop, and sculpt pumpkins and to savor pumpkin pie and pumpkin soup. Mayor Thomas M. Menino greeted children, who were dressed as ghosts and angels.
Keene, a city of 22,000 people, did not go down without a fight. "We had more pumpkins lit than people who live here," said Alan Davis, an organizer.
The friendly competitions raised thousands of dollars for charities.
photo & story courtesy images.google.com; twincities.com, 10/24/06
Matthew 5:14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (ESV)
What does today's God's Story teach us about being light?
Light is very interesting. It is noticed and it shows the way. This is true of a big building full of lights that sits on a hill or of a small candle on a table. And when you put candles inside of 30,128 pumpkins, you set a record and get lots of attention for a city!
Regardless of impact, light is something that Jesus said should characterize our lives. Is there anything in your life that is hiding Christ's light in you?
Sometimes we hide our light by not speaking up when we should, by going along with the crowd when we shouldn't, by letting sin dim our light, or perhaps by ignoring opportunities to meet the needs of others.
How can we be a light in the dark world around us?
Remember, we don't have to be a major spotlight or searchlight or even thousands of pumpkins lit up. Just being a candle of God's Truth will be noticed by someone and show them the way.
By consistently living out the life-changing Truth of Christ-like love, we are letting a little bit of His light into our world. It could help change someone's life forever!
How can you connect today's God's Story to your life?
- In today's story about the record-setting pumpkin light, did you notice that the participants had to carve and empty the pumpkins before they were filled with candles? Let Jesus help you see how your life may need to be cleaned out by his forgiveness before He replaces it with His light.
- Ask His Spirit to help you recognize the ways that you may have been hiding your light. Ask Jesus to help you be faithful to the little opportunites He gives you to be a light. Thank Jesus for always being the light to show you your next step in life as you serve Him.
- Using a Bible study guide (usually in the back), look up ten verses that use light as an analogy for living for Christ and following Him.
- For one month, write down every opportunity that Jesus gives you to be a light to someone. At the end of the month, evaluate what you have learned and make any needed lighting adjustments.
How can you connect today's story, God's Story and your story to the lives of others?
- Pray every day for Jesus to show you one opportunity to bring His light into someone's life. It might be as simple as a friendly smile at school or at work to someone who is lonely. It could be the affirmation of "way to go" to someone! It could be (you fill in the blank).
- Have a pumpkin carving party and use it as an opportunity to be Christ's light as you laugh and talk.
- Write a note of appreciation to another follower of Christ who has been "lighting it up".
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [13]
- May 2008 [20]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [19]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [19]
- November 2007 [16]
- October 2007 [20]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [10]
- May 2007 [12]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [11]
- June 2006 [3]
