‘Tis the season. What’s in the box wrapped in bright shiny red paper? It’s the right size for (fill in the blank), but is that what it is? Hmmmm. What carols will we sing today in church service? Will Grandma and Aunt J drink too much egg nog again and quarrel about podiatrists? Will the sugar gliders take the angel off the tree top? Will the cat barf on the nativity? Will the sugar cookies be crisp? Will we have a white Christmas?
So many questions. Some anticipate a happy surprise and others…well, maybe not an ideal outcome. Every Christmas season, just like the very first, has questions needing illumination.
One of the most festive traditions is using lights to decorate and illuminate. During this liturgical season, purple is the color used to signify Majesty. The arrival of the King of kings.
Last week at church, I looked up and noticed the light pattern on the ceiling. Part of the ceiling was completely in light and part was dark. There was a small, faint purple light just outside of the brightly lit area. Not, perhaps, unlike Bethlehem so long ago. The city of David bustling with arrivals and government officials. Outside the city, darkness prevailed. Except for a lonely and lowly manger. There the Star of Bethlehem shone down to guide the shepherds and the wise men. Who says the Star of Wonder wasn’t purple?
Just Sayin' 