LIGHTING UP CHRISTMAS

Recently, as a winter day gave way to night, hubby and I hopped aboard a skytrain and headed downtown to check out Christmas in the city. Much of the line is elevated so there is a great view of the various communities that we pass through.  I can't say we were overwhelmed by Christmas lights but they were there continuously along our route. Attached to streetlights ... Apartment balconies ... Shopping malls and plazas ... Storefronts ... Front yards ... There were blowup Santas and reindeer ...  Trees in living room windows ... Tall trees in parks ... Sparkling - twinkling - glowing! (Personally my favourite was simply the silhouetted outline of tree branches against the last of the light in the sky. No twinkle, yet very beautiful).  

In the general ambient light I spotted at least three churches and couldn't help but notice that they were completely dark! We can guess that they are thoroughly locked up with security alarms and cameras on. How sad! 

Downtown was festive and the lights drew us from street to street. Some displays were massive and some were simply a string of lights in a shop window.   But again I noticed the churches. We walked past at least three old traditional looking buildings - two were dark and obviously locked up tight. One had on some interior lights so we could faintly see the lovely rose window. Certainly no lights beckoned us closer.  Again I say, so sad!

In those and most other churches in the community, there are probably flowers and decorations, candles and lights indoors where the faithful get to see them but what does the outside community see? For most of the celebrated season they see a dark and closed off building at the very time of year when we honour the bright star that appeared in the East and the heavenly host that appeared at night to the shepherds!  And another question, does anyone put up a large outdoor nativity scene anymore? I know - they get stolen or damaged but is that any reason to discontinue the practice any more than not giving to a beggar because he'll spend your dollar on something other than soup? Are we supposed to be light unto the world or what?!  Maybe commercialism has overtaken the season but shouldn't we put up a bit of a fight? A church near our house has a sign board out front saying Merry Christmas.  Thank goodness it isn't Happy Holidays!

Now that I'm ranting on this subject, I realize I'm very passionate about it. I know that many churches have extravagant musical shows complete with flood lights and laser lights and big screens - all indoors - and we're all encouraged to invite our friends and neighbours to one or two events over the season. OK, but do those neighbours see the church as an entity in their community every day of the week?  In the Bleak Mid-Winter (remember the song?), mid-week in December, do we light up our communities? Reminding everyone of the truth that the Babe born in the manger came to be light and life to us all?  It's our Christian community's perfect opportunity to share our faith wordlessly! 

The Christmas cards I mailed out this year featured a lovely old wooden church with a steeple (just like the one my great grandpa built and also pastored in a little town on the Prairies). It was surrounded by snowy hills and the whole scene was covered in sparkling glitter - inviting, bright, light, and beautiful both artistically and architecturally. Unfortunately that’s a fantasy!  My experiences this week - including a purposeful drive around my neighbourhood - showed that to be the sad fact. Unlighted, undecorated churches seem to be the norm. I'm sure there are lots of reasons - probably valid ones too - but I am of the opinion that there are lots of valid reasons to light up the churches.

My research assistant (Google) turned up an article I enjoyed reading in the December issue of Christianity Today called "What Forgotten Christmas Tradition Should Churches Revive?". Look it up if you’re interested. I'd love to read your reflections on this topic. Please leave a comment.

 

“Amongst the sparkling lights and decorations standing against the gloom, our churches should not be like dark crouching entities abandoned to the night.” (Quoting a friend)

May you have a wonderful Christmas with your friends and loved ones, your church family and your neighbourhood

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1)