Christmas Message for Bright Carols in the Park

I am a person who enjoys putting up lights around the front of our house each Christmas. This simply lifts my spirits. I also enjoy the fruit of other people’s labour – like we see here in Bright each year down Delany Ave and other places. I think this, for me, recaptures some of my boyhood wide-eyed love of Christmas – certainly a special time of the year. We need this brightness and joy and excitement in our lives. I have recently read about a scientific study – that has shown that Christmas decorators are doing themselves, and their neighbours … a lot of good.

I do hesitate though … before putting up the lights. There is often so much sadness around – which you don’t want to ignore, or be seeming to ignore, or to take too lightly. For some, Christmas can be a difficult time because of the loss of loved ones or loneliness. Most of us know people who are unwell in hospital, or are living with mental-health challenges. There is stress within many relationships. So many people are suffering in war-torn countries or refugee camps or in homelessness. We have to be realistic that all is NOT as it should be in the world, even in our own neighbourhood.

But then, I stop hesitating, and put up my lights; because any of that sadness or unfairness around us, actually means that we need Christmas all the more! We need hope, peace, and a way forward; and Christmas has great potential to give us these gifts. For Christmas represents a time where love has been shared across humanity. Christmas is the time when Jesus came into to world (as a child) to bless our lives. A new born king is here. So putting up some lights, or enjoying other people’s decorations, are part of a celebration of God’s love … that brings so much potential for better outcomes.

Lights that brighten the neighbourhood, and Christmas trees, the sending of greetings, the giving and receiving of presents, and the singing of carols, all serve to remind each other that there is hope of a better world, where people come closer together, where people look beyond the person in the mirror … to the needs of others, where fear gives way to compassion and hospitality. We can take this opportunity to share words of encouragement in our family and toward our neighbours – in the hope that these expressions of goodwill spread abroad, and break down some of the existing barriers between people.

Christmas lights speak to me about so many things. Christmas can come around quickly – but it is oh so important! Christmas is a time, where, as the much loved carol says, “… the weary world rejoices – for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn”. This is indeed a thrill of hope. The King of kings … laying in a lowly manger – has been born to be our friend. God's gift to humanity - Jesus. So, joy to the world; peace be with you! Happy Christmas. Let’s continue to celebrate.