It’s one of those questions, I didn’t know I had; why do we decorate with Christmas lights?
We gathered around the breakfast table to begin our Morning Time just as we do every weekday morning. The kids each have their food. I have my giant cup of coffee because…early morning + four kids + homeschooling + life. After a long sip of coffee with some holiday peppermint mocha creamer, I opened my Bible to the first chapter of John- the passage I had chosen for our first week of Advent readings.
Over the clang of spoons on bowls and requests for more milk, I began to read the familiar passage.
“In the beginning was the Word…”
Then, the word seemed to jump of the page to my half-awake mind.
“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ” John 1:9
The. True. Light.
That’s it. That’s why we decorate with Christmas lights. We string lights on the tree, hang lights from the roofs, drape lights on the banisters because Jesus came as light in our dark world. He came as the light of hope, joy, and salvation into a world filled with the darkness of weariness, despair, and death.
Sometimes God uses the simple moments of reading a single verse or rereading a passage we’ve read hundreds of times before to bring a fresh awareness of his awesomeness–to once again show his Light.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2
Making Christmas Lights Meaningful in Your Home
Take some time to read John 1 to your children and do one (or all) of the following ideas.
Obstacle Course
After dark with the curtains closed, scatter some couch pillows and other soft “hazards” around the room. Let your children try to find their way across the room without stepping on anything. Then plug in the lights on the Christmas tree and have them try it again. Talk about how the light makes it easier to see the path we should walk in.
Light Drive
Go for an evening drive around town, complete with hot cocoa and jammies, to ooh and ahh over the Christmas lights.
Camp Out
Camp out in the living room under the lights of the Christmas tree.
With a little intentionality, you can draw your children’s attention to the wonderful reason we decorate with Christmas lights. You can engage them beyond the beauty of the lights and spark a bit of wonder about the Savior who came to be the Light of the World.
As you celebrate the season of Christmas, be sure to grab your free copy of my Advent Devotional.
