I’ll admit, the older I get, the more I become a religious Grinch about Christmastime. Not that I’m, like, keeping a blacklist of businesses that say “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” or something like that. I support holiday diversity. I may have had to restrain myself the other day when my boyfriend told me “Merry Christmas” (it’s still Advent, and the whole point of Advent is that it isn’t Christmas yet!?)—but I’m chill! I even listened to Christmas music during Thanksgiving week this year. It was not my idea, but I issued no complaints, because I am a tolerant person.
The holiday season is ramping up, though, and my Grinch-ness is growing. Lately it’s acquired some fun edges of progressive virtue-signaling and Dutch frugality. As in: Why do I need to get presents for all these people? What do they even want? I need to get them something; I’m going to buy them fluffy socks. These socks were likely made with unjustly cheap labor and designed by AI, and of course everyone already has socks. But I can’t not get them a present, and I don’t know what they really want…so Big Retail stays winning. Nobody better get me anything this year. I have too many socks.
The same thing happens at the downtown Christmas market. Why are we buying seven-dollar hot chocolates and wading through crowds to look at overpriced goods? People are cold and lonely and without shelter less than a block away. Since when are we gatekeeping the Christmas spirit behind a paywall? Is this how I’m celebrating the birth of Christ? And while we’re thinking about it, why is everyone so calm about this weather, when climate change is getting worse?
And so on, and so forth. At this point you may be pleased (relieved, even) to learn that I’ve maintained a soft spot for one holiday staple: Christmas lights.
I know, I know, they’re landfill plastic and a waste of energy. But I put strands up in my apartment as soon as Daylight Savings hit. (Technically, I’m reusing the plastic, since the lights are on loan from someone’s basement storage.) Their golden glow frames my windows, making the pitch darkness at 6 p.m. less disturbing and almost cozy.
Looking at them makes me think of John’s words about Jesus: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5 ESV). The KJV says, “The darkness comprehended it not.” I like that word “comprehend”—it describes something more complex than merely illuminating the dark. After all, as a functional light source, Christmas lights don’t do that much. But there’s something about them that transforms the darkness, that makes us feel warm instead of cold. Their light loosens the suffocating grip of winter nights, even if they don’t disperse the night entirely. They’re like a lighthouse that’s been dashed to pieces and spread along the glittering snow.
This year, the Christmas lights are for me a symbol that God is with us, even when the darkness seems impenetrable. They remind me that Christmas isn’t about the perfect gifts, or the merriest time, or even the best that humans can do for each other. Rather, it’s about what God’s love did for us—and the hope our world has because of it.
Eleanor Lee (‘23) graduated from Calvin with degrees in computer science and writing. She grew up in South Carolina but currently lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She loves coffee, laughing, and bringing emojis to the workplace.
“…as a functional light source, Christmas lights don’t do that much. But there’s something about them that transforms the darkness, that makes us feel warm instead of cold.”
Exactly.
“They’re like a lighthouse that’s been dashed to pieces and spread along the glittering snow.“
I think you also described what the body of Christ (us) was meant to be.
Adore the imagery!
“They’re like a lighthouse that’s been dashed to pieces and spread along the glittering snow.“
I think you also described what the body of Christ (us) was meant to be.
Adore the imagery!
Eleanor, I am a friend of your parents from residency. Like you, I can feel pretty grinchy at times- too much effort put into the perfect decorations and finding presents for my kids how have everything. Over the years, I’ve come to believe that the secular parts of Christmas are purposely there to draw believers and non-believers towards the important parts of Christmas. The lights, presents, and music- are all part of God’s greater plan. So, when it seems a little much, I try to remember that, and I feel better about it! Better yet, Easter isn’t too far away- and it’s the better celebration! During pretty weather, no gifts, pretty pastels, great hymns- all wrapped around the most important part of Christianity!
“Why are we buying seven-dollar hot chocolates and wading through crowds to look at overpriced goods? People are cold and lonely and without shelter less than a block away.”
Joy was meant to be shared with the world, yet we pass by the world every day to bring ourselves the joy we seek. When we seek out those in need and bless them with kindness, love, and generosity, joy in our world is inevitable.
Just realized that I am a Christmas Grinch like you Eleanor, silently resentful about buying gifts for people. But you now helped me to appreciate Christmas lights a lot more 🙂