So, who already has their Christmas tree and decorations up?

Who in your street had their Christmas lights up first? Who of us are traditional fundamentalists and never err from putting our tree up at the start of Advent, December 3 this year, and wait the full 12 days of Christmas before putting them away for another year, on Epiphany, January 5 or 6?

We all have our traditional and rebellious reasons for Christmas habits, and some of us will simply respond to whim and add to tinsel town when we find the time.

Others are determined to dodge the brightening of their pad due to grief, sorrow, sadness, depression. And for some of us it’s simply an extra expense we can’t afford. We all have reasons for our seasonal behaviours.

As for myself, we tend towards the traditional brightening of our home, windows, garden, and church buildings.

However, we do love the sparkle, twinkle, and colourful diversity of Christmas decorations, whenever they appear and miss them when they disappear. As well as the tasteful and tacky aesthetics of beautifying of our streets I find the lighting of darkness deeply meaningful and symbolic.

Each Christmas light points me to the profound ‘Light of Christ’ which was entering our earthy world with the birth and life of Jesus Christ.

As John 1:9 puts it: “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.”

But not everyone recognised and received him as the spiritual light of their lives. It’s possible to drive right on by the brightness of Christmas lights and deny the joy they can give you.

So also, and more tragically, you can get so caught up with the darkness of fear and anxiety, anger and hatred, bitterness and unforgiveneness, conceit and selfishness, and a depressing cover of darkness that one is dulled to Jesus knocking on the door of our Inn and lives.

But all who open up, and invite Jesus in he gladly enters to help us push back the darkness with brightening lights of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, fithfulness and  forgiveness.

And these gifts are not just for Christmas but for every day of life.

Oh, what a brighter world we’ll help create if we can learn to let these lights brighten our lives and the people we work, play, share life, and rub shoulders with. Shine on my friends!