Love, Light, and Life

This guest post is by Suzann Darnall.

Red always makes me think of the love of Christmas. Bright and glowing red. Red like a heart. Red like the color of the blood Jesus would eventually shed for all mankind. Red like the lips kissing under the mistletoe.

Red is one of my favorite colors anyway. I love to wear red. I look good in red, too. It is one my high school colors. It is part of America’s patriotic red, white, and blue . . . which were also my Class of 1976 class colors. As well as being one of the class Christmas colors of red, white, and green. It is a color that says “joy”.

White makes me think of the many sources of light at Christmas Christmas. Bright and shining lights around trees, houses, and buildings. Stars shining in the sky at night. The Star of Bethlehem. Sparkles in the eyes of children waiting in line to meet Santa Claus. Tears in the eyes of loved ones meeting after long absences. Candles all aglow in windows, on feasting tables, or scattered about decorated houses.

White is another of my favorite colors. I look good in it and like to wear it. It is also a color for high school, patriotism, 1976 class, and classic Christmas. It also reminds me of the shining purity of the love of Christ. Of charity.

Green has come to mean two things to me for Christmas: Eternal Life and The Grinch! I hate that it has become tinged with sordid things in my mind. But, it has happened nonetheless.

It symbolizes eternal life because that is why God sent His Son, Jesus, to be born and die. That we might eventually be resurrected and live with Him forever. The evergreens that stay alive and lovely through the winter are a great reminder that even in darkness there is life, light, and love. The life, light, and love that is part of the Spirit of Christmas.

But, amidst this aura of life, light and love there are those who would steal, literally, the Spirit of Christmas. Like those who are stealing in this holiday season. Stealing decorations off lawns. Stealing checks and gifts from mailboxes. Stealing purses and wallets in stores. Just like the Grinch crept into Whoville to steal the trees, and feast, and gifts, there are those who commit theft and robbery around communities across our nation.

Nevertheless, despite these thieves of property and holiday joy, many Americans still hold Christmas in their hearts. They look beyond the decorations, the gifts, and the cost to remember the reason for the season: Christ our Lord. They see past the hate and anger to find the love and joy that should fill our hearts, homes, and holidays!

So, let’s fill our Christmas season with love, light, and life. Let’s push all those Grinches off to the side and not allow them to spoil our holidays. Focus on the joy. Find happiness with family, friends, fun, food, and faith! God bless us everyone!!!