It's with good tidings of great joy that I announce the latest addition to the Reason for the Season collection of ornaments titled "Everlasting Light." But first, a story.
2023 REASON FOR THE SEASON ORNAMENT | EVERLASTING LIGHT
Carstorming
The inspiration for the design of this year's ornament comes from (of all places) my husband, JT. The man swears he isn't creative, but he has really good ideas sometimes. Well, we were driving out to our local-ish corn maze, fun farm combo on the first feels-like-Fall day of the season; and it's quite a drive, so I asked a question to spark some family car conversation: "Hey, what should my designs be this year for my Mobile-themed and Christ-centered Christmas ornaments?" And without skipping a single beat, JT answered, "Definitely the cannon since it's causing a stir right now for Mobile and the Biblical prophecy from Micah 5:2 because it doesn't get enough attention."
Cut to me nodding my head in agreement while Googling the Scripture he just mentioned. It reads:
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.MICAH 5:2
This wonderfully obscure, full-of-hope passage resonated with me instantly. So we started carstorming (aka. brainstorming while driving) and made connections between this verse and the beloved Christmas carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem." This is one of my favorites; it's lyrics are simple yet profound and the melody plain and beautiful. Feel free to sing along to these words:
O little town of BethlehemHow still we see thee lieAbove thy deep and dreamless sleepThe silent stars go byYet in thy dark streets shinethThe everlasting lightThe hopes and fears of all the yearsAre met in thee tonight
LEWIS REDNER, COMPOSER | PHILLIP BROOKS, LYRICS | 1868
Such precious words. They bring comfort and allow peace to settle over my anxious soul. How do they affect you?
BETHLEHEM | PHOTO CREDIT
Let there be "Everlasting Light"
We've heard it cynically said a thousand times that "nothing lasts forever." But if you're a follower of Christ, you know that simply isn't true. Thank goodness. Both the words from Scripture and the lyrics of the carol are full of deep, unchanging truth based on the unshakable promises of a Forever and Amen God. When He is writing the story, He uses the small to befuddle the great (1 Corinthians 1:27). In the small things, He gets all the glory and honor and praise because only He can do so incredibly much with so remarkably little - think loaves and fishes, y'all (Matthew 14). In His capable hands, nothing is insignificant. Not a meager financial offering. Not an undesirable location. Not you with all your flaws and weaknesses. Nothing.
Our redemption story started before time began, but the portions that unfolded on earth, came from the humblest of beginnings. In a little town inhabited by the smallest tribe - but in whose midst THE most epic promise of God would begin to unfold starting with the birth of a tiny babe in a manger to a poor carpenter and his young wife.
It's into such a time and space that Jesus, the light of the world and the giver of everlasting life (John 3:16), our "Everlasting Light" was born. That's just like God isn't it? To be humble and magnificent all at the same time. His "not of this world" way of ruling is countercultural and exciting. We know He keeps His promises, but He keeps us on the edge of our seats in anticipation because oftentimes, the way in which He honors His Word is usually accomplished in the least likely, almost impossibly improbable way. Only God.
And in this world that seems so dark, we don't need to despair because even in our dark streets, the Everlasting Light shines through us and other believers. May the Light within all the followers of Christ shine brighter than any strand of Christmas lights this season. Like stars illuminating a pitch black sky.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas,
