Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Something Important Happened

Some lessons have stuck with me over the years. What I have called "the lesson of the lights" is one of those. 

Thanks to a friend, I think of this every Advent season. I share it now from our archives, with a bit of minor editing this time around.

Advent is only a few days old, and already Christmas decorations cover stores and windows and lawns. In Church we wait quietly, our spirits hushed, as light dawns slowly with the softness of sunrise. 

It is quite a different story out here... in the glittering, clashing, clattering clamor of the world.

I once spoke about this to my friend RG.  So much hubbub, and so soon!  Carols blaring, shoppers rushing... and so many lights.

RG looked at me with a wisdom born (I suspect) of having lived 25 years longer than I. "Did you ever think," he asked gently, "that every one of those lights is because Jesus came to us?"

Well, yeah, I said.  "But not everyone putting lights on their houses is doing it specifically to honor Jesus."  I was being very logical.  "Some may not even believe in Him." 

"Whether they believe in Him or not," said my friend, "they would not be putting up lights right now if Jesus had not come to the world." 

There would be no Christmas, no decorations, no special songs, no shoppers and gifters, no strings of lights on trees and houses, if Jesus had not come.

RG went on to say that when he saw Christmas lights, he thanked Jesus for coming to us.  I'm sure he seldom forgot this practice, for he was a man of prayer.  This holy man has now gone Home to God; he needs no more reminders. 

I, meanwhile, think every Christmas of his simple wisdom. 

"This would not be here if Jesus had not come."  The decorations, the cards, the lights - all shine forth the news that Something Really Important happened on this earth over 2000 years ago.

Something Important Happened, and we have not forgotten. 

Thanks be to God for the lesson of the lights.  




 

8 comments:

  1. Nancy,

    This might be my second favourite Advent post (after the Advent Window). Thank you.

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    1. Thank you so much, Sue! My friend "RG" was indeed very wise.

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  2. Yes! And why haven't I ever thought of it this way. In the Catholic homeschool world, there are so many who go to the opposite end of the spectrum and keep under lock and key the celebration of Jesus' birth until THE day and then after. Where there is not anything "wrong" with that, I don't see anything "wrong" with putting things up early. But it should all be done in moderation in my humble opinion. Love this thought your friend mentioned ;)

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    1. Patty, in this age when Advent and Christmas are often referred to as "the winter holidays," I am becoming increasingly delighted to hear "merry Christmas," or to see a Christmas card or nativity scene, or a lighted angel... or whatever. If that happens on the 25th or three weeks before, I'm just so happy that the birth of Jesus is being acknowledged and celebrated!

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  3. What a beautiful friend, RG. I will look at the clamor around me much differently now. May he say a prayer for us this Advent :)

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    1. Yes, RG was a holy friend, Jen. If I have ever known anyone who genuinely lived and died as a "cloistered heart," it was he. I have a feeling he indeed is praying for us! :)

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  4. Beautiful post! What an insightful look at the lights and expressions of Christmas and Advent. So grateful for our Lord coming and being with us.

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    1. Thank you so much. The older I get, the more I appreciate the fact the joy of Advent and Christmas!

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