In late September, I got to check off one of my bucket list items. My wife, Kelly, and I had the opportunity to visit Iceland and prayed we might get to see the Northern Lights in all their glory. The colors of green, yellow, and purple light streak across the night sky to form a tapestry that leaves you speechless. I had never thought of visiting Iceland until my oldest daughter, Jessica, moved there a few years ago. It is a land of unmatched beauty. There are also simmering volcanos, giant glaciers, towering waterfalls, and black sandy beaches.
But perhaps the top attraction is the Northern Lights. Lately, the light shows have expanded to include locations as far south as our own home state. Typically, you must travel north of 60° latitude, close to the Arctic Circle to see them. Countries like Norway, Finland, Iceland, parts of Canada, and Alaska are the ideal places to see them in all their splendor.
One evening, my daughter told us the conditions were optimal for the phenomenon to appear. We drove north out of Reykjavik, away from the lights of the city. Very few clouds were in the sky that night and the stars shone so brightly. Apparently, everyone in Reykjavik had the same information because there were cars parked bumper to bumper in this remote area. We got out of the car and soon the sky began to light up green. It was so cool, but it was nothing compared to what was to follow. In a matter of moments, the lights exploded and began to dance across the sky, showing off all sorts of colors. I can only explain the feeling I had in terms of gratitude for God’s creation. Our eyes were wide open like we were kids once again on Christmas morning. I couldn’t stop smiling while others cried.
This whole experience lasted no more than a few minutes, and at one point, I had a random thought. These lights from the heavens that covered the night sky must have been akin to what the shepherds saw that first Christmas Eve when Luke tells us, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!’”
The shepherds also lived in a world of chaos like we do, and in the midst of that, God broke through with a message of goodwill when the angel said, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
That night, God sent a sign from the heavens that changed everything. It was a beautiful message in which God proclaimed, “Emmanuel… God with us.” Maybe you won’t see the Northern Lights, but the next time you gaze up at the stars, recall that on that first Christmas, God filled the sky with light and voices singing. Try to imagine the awe the shepherds felt at the sight and give thanks.
Dave Poteet, Pastor of Congregational Care
