Christmas Lights

Driving through the city, I see Christmas lights of every type adorning houses, businesses, parks, and signs. The number of different colors, shapes, styles, and sizes is astounding, giving the viewers an infinite variety of visual experiences. Many of the lights are mobile, flashing back and forth, moving around buildings, shrubs, trees, and windows. Many other lights are stationary, remaining steadfast in their position. Some lights were obviously put up hastily and have no system of presentation, often resulting in a random type of appearance. Others, however, were put up carefully with great attention and fastidious perfection of presentation. I see blinking, glittering, jumping, bright, dull, wild, tame, low, high, shapes, small quantities, large quantities, and every type of light decoration imaginable.

But, if the truth be told, I do not understand the light craze. I suppose historically it relates to the star in the sky showing the way to the Christ child. The star helped the Wise Men as they headed out to give gifts. Now, today, the lights are a symbol of the shine and glow of Jesus' birth and the reminder to give honor and respect to God's son, the Savior of the world. All that makes sense in a symbolic and beautiful way. But practically, I still do not understand. Maybe the lights are to help people remember or to serve as some kind of acknowledgement of the birth. Or maybe lights have become passe', without meaning, predictable objects that drain electricity, drain cash, take time,

Perhaps it is a human desire to seek out the good. The lights represent goodness triumphing over evil. Much has been written about the contrast between light and dark, good and evil. The obsession of lights at Christmas seems to demonstrate the human desire for beauty, morality, optimism, and compassion to reign victorious over the evil that often pervades our society. We are willing to make sacrifices of time and money to show others that we live in a world that needs God and the lights are a manifestation of God's son Jesus.

I believe, however, that while all that may be true, there may, indeed, be another intangible reason for the lights. I believe we, as humans, have an innate desire to create artistic moments, artistic events, and artistic opportunities. I believe that art, music, and theatre play a significant role in our culture and that artistic expression is a human need. Unfortunately, not everyone has the ability to be a Michelangelo, a Shakespeare, or a Beethoven, but in spite of our lesser talents, we still desire to create and experience the beauty and the joy of art in its totality. Our imaginations may not be incredible nor life changing, but they still have a place in our culture.

Hanging lights at this time of year may symbolize Christ's birth or may simply represent the joy of Christmas but I posture that Christmas is also an opportunity to reach inside ourselves and express the role of art in our world. Whether that is true or not, because I live in an arts world, a world full of theatre, music, and visual art, I have no additional need for lights. Yet, I must grudgingly admit, that I enjoy them, at least to an extent, and, mostly, I am glad the lights have meaning for so many.