It was the beginning of November and I noticed a social media post by one of my cousins that said, “I may look fine, but deep down I just want to put up my Christmas tree.” As soon as I read it, something within me resonated with the sentiment. Later that day, I happened to mention the post in a conversation and I saw their face light up as they shared that they had put up their Christmas tree early. Over the next couple of days, I brought up the topic with people and found many had already put up their Christmas decorations much earlier than they normally would.
I have a feeling that many people were decorating early because of what 2020 has dealt us. This year, there is a natural yearning for the season of Christmas. There have been times that have felt dark with the rising number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, the vitriol of an election year, and the disconnect we’ve felt from one another. Seeking the Light of Christmas makes sense in the midst of darkness.
The colorful lights on the tree, the festive candles we light, and even the lighted Santa and reindeer displays are all playful reminders of the true Light of Christmas. We are drawn to light.
Consider how light can be captivating:
- The ever-changing flames of a crackling fire are mesmerizing, so much so that there are television stations that are dedicated to broadcasting nothing more than the image of a lit fireplace during the holidays.
- Twinkling lights on a Christmas tree always seem to bring joy.
- A single candle, even in a large darkened room, will hold your attention.
Of course, if you only have one lit candle shining in a very dark space, you’ll focus on it because there’s nothing else to look at. It’s the only thing you can see. Maybe that’s the point of Advent.
Advent is a time where we focus on the Light as if it’s the only thing we can see. While the darkness might seem frightening, it’s what you focus on that matters.
This Advent, make a point of dimming or turning off the lights when you light the candles in your Advent Wreath. Let the shadows (temporarily) swallow up all your busyness, electronic devices, and to-do lists. Let the distractions fade away in the background while you focus on the candlelight. Take a moment to pray and listen to Christ, the Light of the World. Give thanks for the Light you receive from Him and ask how you can share His light with others. Remember that nothing can extinguish the Light and His love from your life.
And yes, just like my cousin and all those people I talked with, we joined in and decorated for Christmas early. It is amazing how much better a year like 2020 looks in the Light of Christmas!
Rev. Wendy Lambert, Senior Executive Pastor
