For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. – Isaiah 9:6-7
Decorating the house for Christmas every year is always a meaningful tradition that just makes you feel good. When I drive down the street in my neighborhood, coming home in the evenings, and see the lights on the outside of the house and the lights of the big Christmas tree in the front window, it always makes the day better, no matter what has happened that day. There’s just something about Christmas lights that attracts our attention like moths drawn to a flame.
I think part of the reason we love Christmas decorations with all the lights so much is that Christmas comes at one of the darkest times of the year. We have the least amount of daylight of any point in the year in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas. Sometimes it feels like it is dark when you leave the house in the morning for work, and it is still dark when you leave work to go back home at the end of the day. The entire day can seem filled with darkness. So those Christmas lights on the house can bring a bit of joy at the end of a dark day.
This year seems to have been a year filled with darkness for many. Living through a global pandemic, economic crisis, an election year, and all of the other personal things we have each gone through this year can make it draining on us. Just like the Christmas lights can bring some joy during the dark days of December, we also need the Light in the darkness we are living through.
Take time today to light a candle, start a fire in the fireplace, or turn on the lights of your Christmas tree and use that as an opportunity to draw near to the Light of the World. When we see the light shining in the darkness, we are reminded that the darkness cannot overcome it!
Rev. Josh Attaway, Edmond Campus Pastor
