LIGHTS

Tuesday night after our church’s Christmas Eve service, Melinda and I started a new tradition.  Christmas seems to lend itself to traditions.  We have had family ones for decades.  For instance we always read the Christmas story from Luke 2, say a prayer of thanks to Jesus, and listen to Mannheim Steamroller’s version of Silent Night before gifts are distributed and opened.  Year after year, same thing, same order. I am not sure when you can count something a tradition, but I would say if you do the same thing for at least three years you’re well on your way.  So I can’t call this new thing a tradition yet, but I am committed to making it one.  How does this sound?  Drive around looking at Christmas lights while eating Eggnog ice cream from Graeters.   

The light displays are so varied and so much fun to see.  Some streets and neighborhoods are fully lit, house after house with glowing trees lining the boulevard.  There are white lights, blue lights, red lights and multi-colored strands.  There are bush lights and roof lights, lights with patterns and outlines of animals.  Some have lights hanging straight down from 50 foot trees and some have globular lights hanging in the trees.  All cool.

But I realize that once Christmas is over and the lights are taken down, you don’t drive around to look at houses with no lights.  The lights are the draw.  They are why you go.

Jesus came to bring light to the dark night.  He said, “I am the light of the world.”  He was definitely an attraction.  But he also said of His followers, “You are the light of the world.”  Are we as much of an attraction?  “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matt 5:16