Wayne Weekly “More than a String of “Only Red”

I wondered if it would happen, that is, people going haywire with wire after wire of Christmas lights adorning the outside of their homes. We have all grown weary of the bad, dreary news. Wanting to brighten things up beyond the norm, just seems like the right thing to do.

I’ve been told that Christmas string lights have disappeared off the shelf in a “flash”. My outside display required another string of “only red” lights. After a few brief excursions at close-by stores, I would come away empty handed. My latest trip to a smaller hardware store promised hope. From a distance I saw row after row of boxed mini-lights. Disappointment, however followed my anxious footsteps. Multi-colored, yes. Clear, by the dozens. But “only red”, no way.

A store clerk apparently saw the look of disappointment on my face and asked if he might be able to help. “Well”, I said, “I don’t think so. I am looking for “only red” string lights.” “Nope”, was his answer, they’re gone. As a matter of fact our last box of “green only” lights went out of the door today.” He paused, “You may want to check back Friday. The truck comes then. Maybe we’ll get a new shipment.”

Long ago wise men followed a light, the star of Bethlehem. They followed the light into Jerusalem asking;

 “Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.”

When they learned that the scriptures prophesized that a ruler would be born in Bethlehem, they set their sights on that little town.

 “and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.”

The light they followed was not sold out. It was not in a warehouse or a delivery truck. It was in stock and available for the seeker to find.

When I find my strand of “only red” lights, I suppose I will be appropriately happy.  But the wise men, well, when they saw the star shining brightly in the sky;

“…they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”

This Christmastime, we can be happy to see twinkling lights decorating our homes and streets, but our real joy will come when we look to the One who was found beneath the most divine luminary of all time… and that One is Jesus, the Savior of the world.

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary, His mother, and fell down, and worshiped Him…”                       Matthew 2:11a