Well, it has already happened again this year! My wife has fussed at me for not putting up Christmas decorations on the outside of our home.
This is what I heard, “Why don’t you put some Christmas lights up on outside? All the other homes in our neighborhood are decorated and look so festive! It looks like Scrooge lives in our home!”
Now, don’t get me wrong … I thoroughly enjoy celebrating Christmas! We have our Christmas tree up and decorated; and we certainly have decorations all through our house; and I really enjoy driving around looking at the decorated homes in our community. BUT … I do not like putting up outside lights and decorations … because they’ll have to come down in January when it’s snowing and -15 degrees! (I now understand my Dad as when I was younger and I fussed at him for not putting up outside Christmas decorations!!)
But, also it seems that every year at Christmas you’ll hear some Christians argue that putting up Christmas decorations is a pagan tradition; or that you’re helping to commercialize the observance of Christmas.
Well, I’ll let you know what I think. I say … if you don’t mind taking down the outdoor Christmas lights in frigid January … then decorate your home to the max!!
Decorating your home at Christmas is neither surrendering to pagan traditions nor is it submitting to commercialism.
I appreciate what Pastor Jack Hayford said …
“If God commissioned angels to roll back the night and fill it with blazing light.
If God provided a mighty celestial choir to serenade a few startled shepherds.
If God graced the heavens with a miracle star.
If God arranged such a memorable entry point as a feeding trough in a stable.
If God went to all this trouble to open our eyes to His entry into our world … then we needn’t apologize for festooning our home with a few seasonal reminders.”
Since the Light of the World has come, then let the lights strung across your front porch shout it from the housetop … CHRIST IS BORN!
Candles and carols.
Stars and starlight.
Gifts and giving.
Lights and lightheartedness.
Angels and cookies.
Wise men and ornaments…
ALL are consistent with what transpired on our little planet 2000 years ago.
So, run on out to the store and purchase a few more strands of Christmas lights and present your decorating and decorations to the Lord as a tribute to Him!
Pray before you decorate.
Worship as you decorate.
Give thanks after you decorate.
“Whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” – Colossians 3:17 (NLT)
Come on … let’s celebrate Christmas!!
(Oh, and while you’re at it … swing on by my house and hang some lights on the porch!!)
