It was time for the town's "Parade of Lights" to begin. The burgers had been consumed by tailgaters as the sun went down in the settling darkness. Generators powered up tens of thousands of lights on floats built and decorated by youth groups, businesses and local organizations. Santas and reindeer, snowmen and elves, Disney, glitter and glitz lit up the night in bright array.
Decorated units from golf carts to eighteen wheelers lined the mile on both sides of the town's major street, each awaiting its signal to go. Band members dressed in flickering lights with twirler brigades were ready to follow. Parade organizers marshaled people here and there, and finally the parade began. The floats were a magnificent sight on a warm watched by thousands.
One float was unique. It showed children and parents gathered in front of a lighted manger scene, but it had a problem. Lights illuminated the star, the manger and the large wooden candles all around, but there were no lights on the sideboard signs telling who they were. The Holy Family was visible in the dark night, but how would people know who had put them there?
Fortunately, someone came to the rescue. Producing two bright lanterns, a woman handed one to friend and directed her to stand on the other side of the float. As they were directed into the street, each carrier shined her bright light on the sign that said, "Trinity Lutheran Church Preschool." For the length of the parade, the two walking sentinels showed the crowd who knew the real purpose of Christmas.
It is difficult these days to find much of anything that tells us the true reason for CHRISTmas. The CHRISTchild has been overshadowed by the crush of shoppers, parties, red hats, blinking lights and blaring music. But if you look closely, you will still find some hearty CHRISTians shining their lights on the manger and showing the world God's eternal and holy gift in the Lord Jesus.
"Let your light so shine that people may see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
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