Choosing to Keep the Lights Turned On

@bethvogt

My family always packs away our Christmas decorations right after the new year.

Only this year, we didn’t.

My husband Rob suggested we keep our outside lights up until we no longer have to wear masks because of COVID-19. His recommendation includes the white lights on the evergreen tree in our front yard. It’s grown taller than we ever imagined, requiring additional strands of lights every year. We’re also leaving up the star positioned over the garage that Rob and our youngest daughter Christa restrung with new white lights a few weeks ago.

After his “Let’s keep the outside lights up” declaration, I surprised myself by saying, “Why don’t we leave our Christmas tree up, too?”

Everyone agreed with me.

Here we are, six days into 2021, and I have no idea when we’ll be storing the lights and dismantling the tree.

I’m okay with that.

In the early months of 2020, when COVID-19 was just beginning to tilt us off-balance, I asked Rob to search through our Christmas decorations and find the Emmanuel banner that hangs on our fireplace mantle. The handmade gift from a friend stayed up from mid-March right through December. And yes, it’s there still, a visual reminder that God is with us, no matter what.

But why keep the Christmas lights up for an undetermined amount of time?

Rob and I have a tradition of selecting themes for our children’s Christmas stockings – everything from survival the year he hiked down a mountain after breaking his knee cap to the tamer themes of cooking and fun and games. This year, Rob chose the theme of illumination, selecting an assortment of utilitarian lights. Think portable LED lights and headlamps.

One of my favorite things to do during the month of December is to come downstairs when everyone else is still asleep and to dispel the darkness in the house by plugging in the Christmas tree. Sometimes I sit in the silence with a cup of tea and sometimes I play Christmas music.

The lights sparkle off treasured ornaments, each one prompting memories of Christmases past, of friends, of previous homes, of fun vacations.

Leaving the outside lights up, along with the Christmas tree, is about remembering how much we need light when life seems dark.

Yes, it’s 2021, but we still face challenges because of the coronavirus – and just because normal, everyday life is hard. Only six days into this year, and I know three people who are grieving the unexpected loss of loved ones.

The true hope of Christmas doesn’t end because we turn the calendar page to January. This year, my family chose to keep the lights shining a little longer. As I write these words near the glow of my Christmas tree, I’m thankful for this year’s tradition.

What’s giving you hope right now?

Choosing to Leave the Lights On https://bit.ly/3rRWA4x #hope #newyear2021
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'It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.' Quote by Aristotle https://bit.ly/3rRWA4x #hope #faith
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