On Them Light has Shined!
Have you ever thought about where Christmas lights came from? The idea of using light to celebrate Christmas was not one that was created around electricity, as a matter of fact, the tradition of making the season festive with the light and warmth of fire is much older than electricity. For a long time many would celebrate the season by lighting candles and placing them on their Christmas tree. YIKES! Can you imagine what kind of fire hazard that might have been? The lights on a Christmas Tree would serve as a reminder of the light of Jesus coming into the world. Using candles as the reminder was the only available option for the longest time, but in the late 19th century that began to change. A man by the name of Edward Hibberd Johnson had an idea that would change things forever.
In 1871, Johnson hired Thomas Edison, then a 24-year-old inventor, as a consultant for the Automatic Telegraph Company. Edward Johnson was inspired by Edison’s work and one year Johnson has an idea. Shortly after Edison patented the first commercially successful bulb in 1879, Johnson saw an opportunity to set up a Christmas tree by the street-side window of his parlor. In 1882, Johnson hand-wired 80 red, white and blue light bulbs and strung them together around it, and placed the trunk on a revolving pedestal, all powered by a generator. Although electricity was not readily available, the trend caught on and in 1894 President Cleveland put electric lights on the White House tree.
Many of us fear the loss of tradition when new technology comes into our lives. While that may be true in some cases, in this case I believe a tradition just became safer. Today millions of homes light up their Christmas trees and houses with Christmas lights. A tradition that is and was a beautiful reminder of the light of Christ entering the world continues because of ingenuity and progress.
This Christmas season has been affected by the danger COVID-19, yet thankfully technology has enabled us to continue to meet. Although I might not feel the same as I have about previous Christmas seasons, I am comforted to know that we will still meet (even if it is not in-person). We have a responsibility to continue sharing that light of Christ. As God’s people we are the people who have once walked in darkness but now have seen a great light. So we share with those who live in a land of deep darkness so they may see the light shine upon them. It is my hope that you will join me online this Christmas Eve at 5, 7, and 11:30 PM for three unique and wonder Christmas Eve celebrations.
In God’s grip,
Pastor Chuck Church
