There are many wonderful Christmas sights; multiple decorations and Christmas designs that delight the eyes; trimmings and trappings that announce the season and trigger nostalgia. Everyone has their personal favorites.

Mine happens to be Christmas lights. 

I’m not particularly particular about the approach.  Drape multicolored strands over some shrubs or opt for a uniform color.  Either looks nice.  Or better yet, mix it up!  Same-color bulbs here; another color there; scatter a third and fourth color in elsewhere if you are feeling ambitious.  Then insert some multicolored lights to pull it all together.  Gorgeous!

Of course, there are always variations available as well.  Icicle lights hanging from the house contours.  Blinking or rotating lights.  Flexible tubes to wrap around a post or string along a fence line.  Lights formed or fastened into significant shapes.  (For example, we have a cross outlined with white lights which we display in our front window every year.)  Naturally all options mentioned are available in various shades.

I know I am not alone in my love of Christmas lights.  In fact, many others, including some in my immediate family, are also exceptionally fond of them.  But why do they please us so much?  What is the attraction?

It may be as simple as our hypothalamus, which isn’t simple at all!  Our hypothalamus is a small gland in our brain which stabilizes our body (called homeostasis).  It assists us in maintaining sleep cycles, balances body fluids, and even regulates blood pressure and heart rate, among other fairly important things.

Studies have shown that different colors actually affect our hypothalamus!  Different colors stimulate different reactions – different moods.  Some colors invigorate; others relax.  Blend many bright and colorful lights together, and the impact tends to be quite positive.  Calming.  Uplifting.  Mesmerizing.

In other words, we are innately drawn to the glimmering glow.  We don’t understand why, but we recognize we like it.  The lights swing us in a positive direction; we feel good when we see them!

I really enjoy Christmas lights.  But what I truly love is THE Christmas Light; the Lord Jesus born into this spiritually dark world to bring his desperately needed saving light.  The prophet Isaiah described Jesus and His impact in a truly lovely manner. 

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.  See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you.  Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.  Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the hip.  Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy” (Isaiah 60:1-5).

Christmas lights certainly spark the hypothalamus; but THE Christmas Light hits the hypothalamus and the heart even harder.  Baby Jesus percolates sublime joy in our souls.

Of course, through Isaiah the Holy Spirit was speaking of the salvation the Savior would win for us with his perfect life, his horrible death, and his glorious resurrection.  Just a few verses later the Holy Spirit describes what that salvation ultimately looks like.  (Heaven! Where THE Christmas Light shines even more glorious beams!)

“No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.  The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end” (Isaiah 60:18-20).

The Light of the World (John 8:12) was born as a little baby boy on the first Christmas so he could bring the light of salvation to all who love him.  And so that his believers would one day be with him forever and bathe in his glorious light in heaven forevermore. 

So string those Christmas lights; swing your eyes over their beautiful brightness and be buoyed.  But ultimately, settle your eyes on THE Christmas Light, and be uplifted all of your life … and all of eternity.