Christmas Lights and the Light of the World
Day 336 of Photo Inspirations — Christmas Lights and the Light of the World
Among Tulsa’s great tourist attractions, one of my favorites at this time of the year, is Rhema Church’s spectacular “Christmas Lights Extravaganza” — thus my first photo inspiration. For over 30 years Rhema has provided the city with THE LIGHTS TO SEE. This year, the campus will be lit up with over two million lights. It draws more the 200,000 visitors each year. There’s a “Christmas Tree Forest” and park to walk through with beautiful music playing in the background. It’s really a sight to behold. It’s a tradition for our family to take our annual drive through.
My next photo inspirations are mini-displays in my Hyde Park community. Really not much to bring in the crowds for, but we are still expressing our Christmas spirit. I like to think that these lights express the true LIGHT of Christmas that dispels darkness.
Over the years, we’d find neighborhoods that went all out for Christmas. Occasionally, we’d see a truly spectacular display covering the house and yard and trees and and we’d ooh and ahh at the workmanship of that homeowner. Whether we are the extravagant, over-the-top Christmas light displayer, or we’re like my community where we have just mini-displays, there is good news for us. Lights are an important symbol of the meaning of Christmas. Jesus entered this world to be the Light in the darkness, and God got in on the original light show. After all, the angels appeared to the shepherds, and whenever angels appear they often have this dazzling array around them. Talk about LIGHT SHOW! And then there was the star over Bethlehem that the wise men were drawn to. “You LIGHT UP MY LIFE” took on a whole new meaning that glorious Christmas night.
I know there are those who don’t consider the lights they’re putting on their homes to symbolize the Light of the World that dispels the darkness. But, nevertheless, that’s what this girl thinks. Those light displays, GREAT or SMALL, are dispelling the darkness where they are……and I like to think that the LIGHT that lives in us is dispelling the darkness in our sphere of influence — at work, at home, at play, at school, at the restaurant, at the store, at church, at a football game, at a political event. In that case, “YOU light up my life” takes on a whole new meaning to a world that is begging for LIGHT.
“Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12. And, here’s the real kicker…..Jesus said to us “YOU are the light of the world…..” Matthew 5:14. WOW!! How’s that for a standard to live up to? It sure puts onus on us to check out our wattage and our light output, doesn’t it?
Bottom line, the darkness of this world can only be cured by the LIGHT of the ONE who created it. LIGHT that comes from HIM; LIGHT that comes from us. I’m thinking that the song “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine” should be turned into a Christmas carol….for most certainly, His LIGHT shining through us could be the extravagant, over-the-top Christmas LIGHT display that could make a difference in the lives of those around us here and around our world.