Does your family have the tradition of hanging Christmas lights the day after Thanksgiving? Here in the colder states, it’s a necessity to hang them as early as possible! The only alternative, if you wait until later in December, is frozen fingers and potential hypothermia…all for some decorative, non-essential Christmas lights! But despite freezing temperatures, death-defying roofs to scale, and the unavoidable nightmare of tangled lights, people get out every year and do their best to create a beautiful display! And it is so worth it! I love driving through snow-covered streets at night to relish the sight of intricately and extravagantly lit houses. Even the most simply lit homes look beautiful against the dark winter sky.
It’s no coincidence that we use beautiful lights to celebrate Christmas; the birth of baby Jesus was the dawn of a brilliant light into a dark world, one that we will never forget! John 8:12 tell us, “Jesus…said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” Though our world is filled with the darkness of fear, tragedy, and hopelessness, the beauty of Christmas is that darkness will not overcome!
Similarly, God also calls us to be His lights in this world. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
Here at SEND, we are grateful that simple Christmas lights can serve as a powerful reminder for the true meaning of Christmas: Jesus’ humble entrance into our world to bring light into the darkness, and the amazing opportunity for each of us to shed light into this darkened world!
To learn more about how you can be a light to those around you, please reach out to me! I would love to share with you how SEND young adults learn to live as a light in the darkest corners of our world and how you can get in on the action! Until then, have fun untangling the Christmas lights, and BE CAREFUL ON THAT ROOF!
Contact me at kenzie@churchdoctor.org or 1-800-626-8515.
Kenzie Hackelberg
SEND Young Adult Coordinator
SEND North America Young Adults are 10 months away from becoming trained missionaries and helping you reach young adults in your church. Contact us to learn more.