Editorial December 25, 1976 Issue

Christmas Lights

Naomi Price

Lighting up for Christmas is an ancient custom—though displays have become increasingly elaborate in this century. The traditional single candle in the window to welcome a stranger has often given place to strings of twinkling electric lights. The flickering lanterns of the waits as they wended their way from house to house singing carols have been succeeded by illuminated store windows and mammoth public displays accompanied by electronic "Christmas" music —not necessarily devotional. Even now, when the need for economy in the use of energy has become a concern, as Christmas Day approaches, wherever Christian people live, they find ways to increase illumination both indoors and out, until a trip through the city "to see the lights" is a popular and rewarding outing for the family.

But while they are enjoying the cheerful sight, some people may wonder what is the basis for this tradition of Christmas illumination. Why have successive generations since way back associated light with the coming of the Messiah? Could it be that the idea behind the Christmas celebration has always in some measure been recognized as a reminder of the spiritual illumination of human consciousness that came through the Christ—the mental enlightenment whereby mankind was saved from the darkness of false, mortal belief and the woes of human existence that accompany it? This idea, if understood, would hold a heavenly promise of harmony and joy.

Christ Jesus, whose advent the festival commemorates, announced himself as "the light of the world,"^{John 8:12;} and his coming on earth was heralded by the bright shining of a star. Throughout his career the Master was associated with light and joy. Although, according to prophecy, he was at times "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief,"^{Isa. 53:3;} even his darkest hours of struggle with suggestions of the power of evil were illumined by his unshakable, inspired conviction of the eternal all-presence of God, good, and his expression of God's attributes.