This is a phrase I was not familiar with until this Christmas season. As we drove around, Haddie our 2 year old would notice some Christmas lights and exclaim, “Pretties!” Then when she noticed the next Christmas lights she would cry out, “More Pretties!” With each passing light display she would get more and more animated and her exclamations would get louder and louder. The best way I can describe it is if you have seen the Lego Movie. In that movie there is a character named Benny who loves to build spaceships. When he gets excited at the opportunity to build he exclaims, “Spaceship. SPAceship. SPACEship! SPACESHIP!!!” This is what Haddie sounds like as we drive by Christmas lights, and it is awesome.
I love seeing her excitement and joy. She is amazed at each new display of lights. Children are a blessing for so many reasons, and one of them is that they help us remember the wonder and amazement of things we have grown accustomed to. The same thing can happen with the amazing truths of Christmas. Many of us have grown up hearing about the birth of Christ, and we can begin to take it for granted. However, as we reflect on the fact that God sent His Son to earth, to be born of a virgin, we should be amazed. When we think that God chose humble servants such as Mary and Joseph to raise Jesus, we should be moved. God spoke to Joseph through a dream and revealed that Jesus would save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Many people were looking for a political savior or someone to come and provide for their physical needs. However, God sent His Son to do something far more important. He came so that we could be rescued from our sins. He allows us to have peace with God. The only reason we can truly have peace on earth is because Jesus came to earth. The events that took place in a small town in Israel over 2,000 years ago is changing lives for eternity.
As you see Christmas lights this season, remember that Jesus is the Light of the world. John tells us that, “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.” Jesus came to shine the light of God’s grace in to the darkness of our sinful world. May the display of lights we see this season remind us that there is no greater light than Jesus.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Take time to reflect on the beauty of the birth of Christ this Christmas season. As you do, you may be amazed at how much there is within the Christmas story. As you reflect on the Light that came to earth, maybe you will also exclaim, “More Pretties!”