I love Christmas lights. Whether it’s the winter light fest in town or the different decorations on peoples’ houses or even getting up on my own roof; Christmas lights are one of my favorite parts of the season. They announce the Christmas season with a bang and with a gusto nearly unavoidable to the passerby. 

Today in John’s Gospel, Christ talks about a light, not the red and green kind but something much greater. Instead, Christ talks about the light that comes from John the Baptist. See, the followers of John the Baptist saw his teachings as prophetic; some even thought that he was the Messiah! That’s why we see John a few chapters earlier proclaim that it is not him but someone greater than him “whose sandal strap [John] is not worthy to untie” that is to come! 

John the Baptist’s whole beautiful role in God’s plan is to prepare God’s people for Christ’s coming kind of like Christmas lights prepare us for Christmas. However, at some point the followers of John must turn and follow the Christ they prepared for. While it was good for the followers of John the Baptist to be “content to rejoice in [John’s] light” as Jesus says here, it is time for them to realize the fulfillment of John’s message in Christ himself. Just as it would be incomplete to have Christmas lights without Christmas, John’s message and light is only complete in and with Christ, who is the good news that John proclaims and the source of light.

Yes, I love Christmas lights, but I believe Christ is challenging us, just as He challenged the followers of John, to now turn to the true source of Christmas. That beyond all of the decorations that remind us of Christmas, we must remember the reality that Jesus seeks to enter our hearts just like He truly entered our world all those Christmases ago. 

As we enter this final week of Christmas preparation and into the inevitable chaos Christmas seems to bring, let us all find a way to get to the source of light that is Christ. Be it in scripture, in prayer, or in family, find that light and that joy that Christ wants to bring to you. 

Alex Bollwitt is a husband and father, a C-130 Pilot and teaches Confirmation I Religious Education. He is passionate about youth religious education and a Christmas enthusiast.