I always miss them when they’re gone. I get used to them and then all of a sudden, they’re not there anymore. Just vanished as if on cue. And my own neighborhood street is no exception. I’ve grown accustomed to the bright lights adorning many of the yards and houses up and down my street. It’s welcoming on a dark evening to return home to so many Christmas lights and decorations all lit up.

But the lights and decorations do give me pause to ponder a very important and virtually inescapable question – what are we celebrating? I see snowmen and gingerbread men but no wise men – elves but no shepherds – plenty of reindeer but few lambs – lots of candy canes but hard to find an angel – twinkling snowflakes but not shining stars – (such as the one that guided the Wise Men) – Santa Clauses are in abundance, many so large they tower over the other decorations, stealing the “limelight” or I guess in this case the Christmas light – but it is rare to find a Nativity scene amid all the brightly lit displays celebrating this holiday.

Hence my post Advent ponder – what are we actually celebrating? For many, is it just time off from work? Although for some, this is the time to work more than usual at Christmas and many have jobs that are just at Christmas ie. all the Santas and elves and such that we see everywhere at Christmas time. Which reminds me – fun story – returning home Christmas night I was forced to take a detour. I had to leave the highway and drive through the downtown of the city in order to get home. I got to see the circle all lit up and I saw two Santa Clauses strolling down the main street, not a care in the world. Neither had a pack of toys on their back, but of course by now all their deliveries would have been made.

Of course, I digress, but in my defense the very nature of pondering lends itself to many avenues of thought, aka digressions. BUT – the original ponder – just what is being celebrated anyway? You know this started out as a birthday party, right? We were remembering and celebrating the birth of God’s Son, Jesus. Why? Because He had been promised and mankind had been waiting centuries for God to make good on that promise.

We needed a Savior and in His perfect timing, God provided One for us. He gave us His very own Son.

“But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)

However, to say that those living at the time were a little disappointed with God’s gift, is kind of an understatement. They didn’t really have the time or the room to receive Jesus or they missed the giving of the gift completely.

“He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.” (John 1:11)

Seems like we have the same problem today. We don’t make the time or the room to receive God’s gift or we completely miss the fact that God has given us a gift – a priceless, life changing, life giving gift – Jesus Christ. This truth gets buried under snowmen and reindeer and candy canes and Santa Clauses and so many gifts that the real gift is eclipsed, lost and forgotten forever.

However, maybe there’s still time? By now the excitement and the newness of this year’s Christmas gifts are wearing off. Some toys may have already been broken and it is a certainty that gadgets and electronics, as well as clothes, will soon be outdated or outgrown. The luster doesn’t last long with earthly gifts. If only we’d unwrapped God’s gift – the gift of His Presence come to stay with us.

“The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel – which means, ‘God with us.’ ” (Matthew 1:23)

The gift of God’s presence – the overlooked gift of Advent – the only gift of Advent that counts! The star of Bethlehem and the heavenly hosts lit up the darkness on the night of Jesus’s birth. Today, we’re still trying to light up our darkness with all kinds of light displays – but until we let the one true light enter in, our efforts will continue to be in vain. God gave us the Light. Jesus said –

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

How sad that so many were not ready or willing to receive God’s gift. How sad that is still the case today.

“In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:4-5)

Isaiah said – “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1)

May the True Light, given to you and to me at Christmas, continue to light up our lives long after the Santas, the snowmen, the reindeer and such are no longer lighting up our lawns. I don’t have to live in post Advent darkness – Jesus came to stay!

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)

The Christmas lights are already disappearing. BUT – God’s gift – “in Him was life, and that life was the light of men” – God’s light – will continue to shine post Advent and into eternity. This is the gift we celebrate at Advent – God’s light and life.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

sincerely, Grace Day