It was Martin Luther almost 500 years ago that came up with the idea of lights in the Christmas tree. He was walking in the dark near his home and noticed the stars twinkling through the evergreen branches. He felt as if the hand of God had touched his soul and he came up with the idea of putting candles on the tree inside of his home. For centuries to follow candles were developed with special holders to place on Christmas trees. This made for two things: 1) It created beauty in developing decorations for Christmas; and 2) extreme fire hazards as every year not only trees, but houses would catch on fire. It was an employee of Thomas Edison, who developed the first electrical lights, that would come up with the idea of stringing electrical bulbs together to decorate his own Christmas tree. Edward Johnson's idea caught on the 1880's, and newspapers sent reporters from far off places to get stories on this new invention. Yet, it was expensive. It was not until after WW I that General Electric and Westinghouse would produce Christmas tree bulbs that the average American could afford to purchase. The evolution of Christmas tree bulbs has continued to this day.
Why do we decorate the tree this way? While tradition is linked back to Luther's idea, it had it's roots in scripture.
John 1:1-5 (NIV)
1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
Even there, John is thinking back to an Old Testament Prophet who talked of the Messiah's coming in terms of light - Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 (NIV)
9:2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned...
9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
The promise of the Messiah is that he comes as light in the darkness of the world. The promise of the Messiah is that "the light shines in darkness, but the darkness doesn't understand (recognize) it..."
Think about it...Jesus says to us: Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
"The Light has come and the darkness can
Never be the same, O hallelujah"
May the lights of the Christmas reminds us always that Jesus Christ has come, and that before he comes again, WE are his lights.
0 comments:
Post a Comment