In the past month, I have seen hundreds of posts of folks saying they are ready for Christmas, breezing past Thanksgiving decor and straight to holiday lights!
Well, I am one of them.
On November 1st, the Christmas Tree will be gracing our home, though the outside will still have pumpkins. I thought to myself, why are folks desperate to get to Christmas. It’s not about the gifts; folks are hurting right now. It’s not about the colors. Christmas can be any color you want it to be. Other holidays are color-specific.
Then it hit me…
…it’s about the lights!
The glimmering lights sprayed throughout our community bring hope. The houses, apartment windows, and department stores all feature light displays. Grocery stores also join in. Wherever you go, these lights bring wonder and put a smile on our faces. I began to wonder what it is about “lights” that brings us much joy.
As a Christian, I believe in the story of Christmas. It is the birth of the Christ child who came to bring hope to the world. The Star of Bethlehem is part of the narrative. It shone brightly. It led the Wise Men to the newborn King.
Listen, this is my version of the events. You can look it up and read it more accurately and poetically in the Bible.
Light makes things visible. It occurred to me that, collectively as a community, we feel the heaviness of dark days. We are desperately yearning for light. We know that Christmas offers light. Whether in your secular or religious celebrations, some form of light will be found.
Christmas is the only holiday that is celebrated ALL AROUND the WORLD…why is that, because of light!
Because of Hope. Because of an expectation of redemption.
Millions of people are preparing to light up their communities. Our neighbors, both Gentiles and Jews, have decided to make our neighborhood extra special this year. Together, we will light up our small corner of the world.
So as you walk into this season of Advent…light your Menorah, light your Christmas trees, light your candles.
We need to bring light into this deep season of darkness, so that we can see what lies ahead…
HOPE. JOY. PEACE. REDEMPTION.