Christmas came a bit early for this ol’ Gramps in 2023.
He received his favorite gift a little ahead of schedule, when two Grandsons were “in the house” for a sleepover – a week ahead of the big feast. As is often the case, the Grands rooted through several closets of Ancient Toys to discover some treasure. And one such expedition unearthed a Lite Brite.
Conceived decades before the invention of LED or Compact Fluorescent bulbs (not to mention PlayStation or Xbox), this low-tech contraption puts a low-watt incandescent and dozens of colorful plastic pegs to work in service of a young-un’s creativity.
Frankly, it’s amazing to see how a collection of such unassuming elements manages to corral a seven-year-old’s frenetic energy…and convert it into beauty and peace.
Out of the darkness…Lite.
Light and color: At first glance, it doesn’t seem like we’re being given all that much to work with. But I’m here to tell you, something magical – something grace-filled – happened in the moment. Time expanded…and a blank, black canvas was transformed.
I was glad to have that time, for sure. I was glad to be a witness (even though my only contribution to the process was finding a socket for the Lite Brite’s plug.)
That’s often the case, isn’t it? Our first, and most important, job is simply to show up. We open our eyes. We open our hearts. And we discover God’s Holy Spirit hovering over what might otherwise seem like a formless void. I think maybe this is what John the Evangelist is talking about when he writes:
What came to be through [the Word] was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
Christmas celebrates this very gift, I believe: God promises to enter into our world, and promises ultimately to handle all the tough stuff. But notice, too, how salvation is put in the hands of the baby Jesus – at first glance, a rather unassuming infant. This Little One, possessing power beyond our comprehension, inexplicably also desires our cooperation…our participation in the process of dispelling the world’s darkness.
But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God…
It’s worth noting that, like a single Lite Brite peg, none of us can accomplish much on our own. But when we resolve to put ourselves at the disposal of the Artist, this Christmas feast reassures us that something quite remarkable will emerge.
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only Son,
full of grace and truth.
It’s true, isn’t it? We’re better together in working with Jesus to dispel the darkness.
Let us pause now…to recall that we are in the presence of the Holy & Merciful One.
IHS
With Us Still 