This post is a part of the Five Minute Friday link up. We write for just 5 minutes from a one-word prompt, without heavy editing, and see what happens. Today’s prompt is “darkness.”
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:1-5 ESV).
It’s Christmas time, obviously. I love it, and I don’t love it so much in some aspects. I hate the commercialism. I love the lights and the pretty decorations. I hate that sacred songs are used to try to sell stuff. Although I do know that many “sacred” songs were taken from old bar songs and other not-so-sacred arenas.
I also know that we have taken other celebrations from the secular, and even pagan, into our stable of Christian holidays. And I’m really OK with that, for the most part, because I know that when God came into my life, He changed me. He brought His light and it dispelled the darkness.
So taking something that was once used for pagan rituals and making it new follows the gospel narrative, does it not? So when what once was a bar song becomes remade into a hymn of praise to God, I think God smiles.
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Transformation, that’s what it’s all about.
So Jesus, coming into the world and bringing the light of life to a dark and musty home for animals, transforms everything He touches. The dirty become clean, the broken become beautiful, the dark become infused with light.
That’s the gospel. That’s the message of Christmas. That’s what the beautiful lights represents.
Darkness is dispelled.
This “The dirty become clean, the broken become beautiful, the dark become infused with light.” is such truth. We once were, but now we are. Thanks for the reminder. (Fellow FMFer)
Thank you so much, Brenda. Merry Christmas!
Transformation…exactly – love this perspective. I once was blind but now I see!!! Great post.
Thank you so much! I appreciate you stopping by and commenting. Merry Christmas!
I agree, I like the idea of taking something intended for pagan rituals and making it point to the hope we have in Jesus!
I know a lot of people have trouble with that, but, man, aren’t our lives just like that? Where once we served the prince of darkness, now we serve the light of life! Thanks, Lesley!
I am a child of pagans;
from that, I can’t escape.
Of Clintons and of Reagans,
and Superman’s red cape.
I am a child of heathens,
and of Rolling Stones
who sing to me the reasons
to Paint It Black, alone.
I am a child of infidels,
Bin Ladin and the rest
who bid me shake the vengeance bells
and thus I failed the test.
Each time I got the ball, I dropped it
but thanks to God, I am adopted.
Love it, Andrew! So sorry I’m just now seeing this. God’s peace to you in this new year.