Friday, December 13th, began in soft darkness. Outside, dawn was late and the air smelled faintly of snow. But when the students arrived, the classroom glowed. Ms. Larsen had lit a single white candle on her desk, and beside it was written in chalk: “Mission #13 – Bring light to someone’s day.”
She explained the story of Saint Lucia — a young woman who brought food and comfort to those in need, wearing candles on her head so her hands could stay free to help others. “Today,” Ms. Larsen said, “you don’t need candles, but you can carry light in what you do.”
The students took it to heart in their own ways. Emma noticed the janitor struggling with wet footprints near the entrance and offered to help mop. Jonas brought a flashlight and walked his elderly neighbor’s dog before school. Ida made a batch of cinnamon rolls with her mom and delivered them to the local nursing home. None of them bragged about it; they just did it — quietly, naturally.
When they gathered again the next day, Ms. Larsen asked if anyone wanted to share what they’d done. The stories were simple, but each one carried a spark. “See?” she said. “Light doesn’t always come from candles. Sometimes it’s just a person deciding to care.”
As the sun finally rose that morning, its pale winter light flooded the room, catching the wax of the single white candle. And for a brief moment, everyone in 7B sat still — warm, calm, and glowing from the inside out.