Christmas Lights

The people who sat in darkness saw a great light, / And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 & Matthew 4:16


It is not by accident that Christians celebrate the birth of Christ with lights. Since the moment angels appeared on Bethlehem hillsides announcing a Son was given to the world, light piercing darkness has signified peace and joy and hope to a weary world.

The first lights of celebration were probably simple oil lamps. It is not beyond imagination that before candles or Christmas trees or cards or gift giving or even a day called “Christmas,” early Christians occasionally remembered the birth of our Lord. These “would have been spontaneous, casual celebrations” observed by individual families. And, as they remembered, it would be natural for them to watch the lamp and think of the scripture promising that when Messiah (Jesus) comes those who sit in darkness will see a great light.

Candles came into more or less common use around 800-900 AD and shortly after we find the first references to nativity scenes being placed in Christian houses of worship. Also--although the exact roots are lost in antiquity--it may have been roughly this time when what we now call “Christmas” began to be celebrated on a specific day.

Over time, being “Christian” became the socially acceptable norm and Christian holiday, including Christmas, were more culturally bound. Decorations became increasingly more common place, expensive, complex and light-filled, causing some devote individuals to feel the holiday had lost all meaning and to doubt the celebration’s worth. When Puritans took control of the English government in the mid 1600’s, lights, decorations and all other forms of celebration were banned. Christmas was to be no more.

Yet the celebration of Christmas—with all its flaws—has endured and when electric light bulbs came on the scene in the late 1800’s they were almost immediately employed as part of the Christmas celebration. They proliferated until today in city streets and country lanes, windows, yards, rooftops and buildings edges twinkle and glimmer. A blow-up Grinch is just down the road from my house and one neighbor has a brightly lit model T displayed complete with Mr. Claus at the wheel and Mrs. Claus riding shot-gun.

For myself, would be easy to agree with the Puritans and declare that the holiday has lost all meaning. In fact, for several years I have not put up decorations, but this year I think I have a better idea: I’ll dig out the 3’ tall, plastic tree that has served the family so well, dust off a string of colored lights, attach a little tinsel and a few ornaments, then turn out the lamps and enjoy. After all, He really is the light of the world and it’s nice to be reminded of that fact. Especially at Christmas.

Because He Came

And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14

I’m almost never at a loss for words, but when asked about a “life verse” or my “favorite” portion of the Bible, I can seldom do more than mumble incoherently. However, if the question changes slightly and I’m asked which verse I most often turn to for comfort, the answer is easy: And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

There is just something about John 1:14 that never fails to minister peace to my soul. Remembering that God came to earth and walked where I walk, instills hope like nothing else. Through the human body of Jesus, God laughed, cut his finger, smelled the morning and when He walked along the shore of Galilee, God left footprints in the sand. A marvelous, comforting truth.

Perhaps that is why I am so given to listening to Christmas carols. Since I use background music to help me concentrate, I spend most of my writing hours with headphones on. Carols are a vital and ever present part of my life. I have heard of others who leave the Christmas tree up year round; I leave CDs spinning as they fill the air with Joy to the World and Silent Night. Even if the month is July.

As our society enters a “Holiday” season where Santa Clause fights for shelf space beside left over monster heads and artificial blood while the time of giving thanks is squeezed out by football, I feel an even stronger need to crank up the music.

It’s time to celebrate.

It’s time to turn attention away from the nightly news of doom and gloom and look up.

It’s time to be reminded that although this world is not our permanent home, it is a beautiful and hopeful planet. God thought so much of this place and the people who walk around on its surface that He reached out and became one of us. With our sins and lacks and wars and terrorism and addictions and weaknesses, He embraced us and offered restoration. Because He came, I know He understands my ways even though I may not always understand His.

When I feel the shame of guilt and blush before His holiness, I can find cleansing because He came and took my sins upon Himself.

When I struggle with hopelessness and the days seem futile, I can look up and know life has reason and purpose because He walked here demonstrating His plan for redemption.

When the world seems to be spinning in a crazy, repeating loop of fear and threats are on every hand, I can sleep in peace because He proved Himself to be stronger than all the forces of evil when He resurrected from the dead.

When I feel a lonely emptiness, I can find comfort in the fact that because He came, I am never truly alone.

He came, He came, He came! Thank God for Christmas! He CAME!