This year we have noticed that many of our neighbours have decorated their houses and gardens more with many more lights than usual and much earlier. It is as though we have all been waiting for something to look forward to after two years of pandemic and uncertainty. The coloured lights cheer us and give us hope for a better Christmas season.
We visited the Light Trail at Delamere Forest, as a family, last week. It was a cold, wet, windy night but it did not stop our enjoyment of the brilliant light displays as we wandered through the forest – and the mud (!) with all the other excited families. There were snowflakes, dragonflies, flowers, decorated trees, laser shows, toadstools and eve
n a Father Christmas dressed in green – his original clothes. What we did notice was the absence of the Christmas message. Yes, they played some Christmas carols together with Christmas songs but we could not see a display which depicted the Christmas story.
Another highlight has been the Christmas Tree Festival in Chester Cathedral, as we took a lunch break in the middle of our Christmas shopping. The cloisters were filled with beautifully lit Christmas trees, many decorated by Schools and Nurseries with natural items such as fir cones and leaves. A particular one that struck us was covered in angels, stars and flowers, all made from pages of old books and sprinkled with biodegradable glitter.
With all these wonderful displays of artificial lights around us, it is easy to forget to look up at the millions of natural lights in the sky – the stars. It was the brightest star in the sky that foretold the birth of Jesus and the guiding light which led the wise men to the manger. When all the light displays have been taken down, the stars will still remain reminding us of God’s love for this world and the gift of Jesus.
Eternal God, help us to be your guiding lights in this world, to lead others to Jesus, who is the Light of the World. Amen
With Every Blessing for a Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for 2022
Ruth
