The Light of Christmas
Photo by R. Mark Green
Growing up in nearby College Park, Georgia, one of my fondest memories of the Christmas season was driving around to admire the light displays in our neighborhood and the newly developed subdivisions.
After cleaning up the dinner dishes, tidying the house a bit, and finishing our homework assignments, the entire family would pile into our old Ford Falcon station wagon and embark on an enchanting evening adventure.
It was the 1960s, before the energy crisis, when electricity was still very inexpensive. People took pride in their elaborate lighting displays. Some houses had only a few decorations, while others featured just a tree in a picture window. Some homes showcased vintage aluminum trees with revolving lights in green, yellow, blue, and red that changed the color scheme. Occasionally, we would come across a home that was completely dark.
But then there were the showplace homes! These houses were adorned with colorful lights outlining every nook and cranny of the roofline, dormers, windows, doorways, and even covering much of the shrubbery in front. It was dazzling! Our eyes opened wide in amazement at the spectacle.
During our evening rides, we would "ooh" and "ahh" at the sights. We would play a friendly game to see who had the best light displays on their side of the car. As we drove, we sang our favorite Christmas carols and fun songs. Once we arrived home, Mom would prepare us a cup of hot chocolate and buttered toast. I’m not sure if anyone else did this, but we would dip our toast into the steaming hot cocoa for a gourmet delight!
I have always loved Christmas lights. To me, they make the season festive, warm, inviting, and cheerful. The lights pierce through the darkness and cold of winter, making the evening glow with joy. Each light—whether it’s a lit candle or an extravagant Christmas display—shines a ray of hope in our often too-depressing world.
Christmas is a season of light. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined” (Isaiah 9:2). “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1:1-5). Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
Yes, Christ is the Light of God who has come to dwell among us! Every candle, every bulb on the tree, and every decorative light on outdoor displays proclaims the coming of our Savior. It’s time to celebrate!
You are loved,
R. Mark Green