Celebrating the Light at Christmas

It happened every year at this time when our kids were still living at home. We’d pull our fake tree from its box, assemble it branch by branch, and prop it in its stand. Next, we’d untangle several strands of teeny colored lights and plug them into a nearby socket. That’s when the fun began.

“Hey, Dad, nothing’s happening,” one of the kids would call. “Why won’t the lights turn on?”

Dad came to the rescue. “A bulb has burned out,” he’d say. “We’ll have to figure out which one’s dead and replace it.”

And so the search began. One by one, we tested the tiny twinklers until we found and replaced the culprit. The entire string lit up that instant. Amazing the power of one mini-light.

I find Christmas tree lights pleasing to the eye and soothing to the soul. I also find them representative of life.

When the lights go out

I have reasonable expectations about what the family Christmas should look like, but nothing turns out the way I’d hoped. Poof! Disappointment turns the lights off.

I’m feeling okay about myself until someone misjudges my motives and character. Poof! Anger and hurt turn the lights off.

I’m content with my circumstances until someone tells me about the latest holiday she took. Poof! Envy turns the lights off.

Disappointment. Anger. Hurt. Envy. Fear. Doubt. Loneliness. Unforgiveness. They’re all capable of turning out the lights, metaphorically speaking. So what should we do?

Remove the culprit and replace it wiht the Light that changes everything.

Jesus is that Light

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 NIV)

This season brings a mish-mash of emotions. Some of them are positive; others not so much. If something happens to switch off your sparkle, ask the Holy Spirit to show you the culprit. Are you disappointed that circumstances didn’t turn out as you hoped? Did you take offense at someone’s thoughtless remark? Are you feeling desperately lonely for the loved one whose chair sits empty at the table this year?

Take a few minutes and sit in the glow of your Christmas tree lights. Tell Jesus how you feel. Rest assured He cares. Give Him every hurt, every disappointment, every lonely place, and He will restore the light in your life.

May this season be filled with peace, with joy, and a renewed sense of wonder as you celebrate Jesus, the Light of the world and of your heart.