Zoo Lights

It was mentioned to me by a sweet friend that she had an idea for a grandkids adventure.  I was all ears.  Last night was the night. We had planned it for week and all the kids were to be dropped off at my house for dinner, cuddled in warm clothes,  and from there we would load up and go to the zoo for Zoo Lights which opened at 6:00.  I did promise, since it was a school night, to have everyone back as close to 8 as possible and we did, amazingly, pull that off.  I traded cars with Jennifer which was brilliant on my part...5 kids don't fit too well in mine and not only that, but she had a good movie going in the car and as an added convenience she put her double seated jogging stroller in it, and it was wonderful.   

At the house, as decoration and a bit of added Christmas ambience,  I had lit the advent wreath on the island where they eat. And. even though it was a bit early, and not entirely on an advent scheduled agenda,  I lit four of the candles and left the middle one unlit.  I tried to make the story a simple concept: one day Jesus is coming again and advent is a time to remember what Christ has done and look forward with hope to the time when he will return.  The first candle represents darkness, the second rescue, the third forgiveness and the fourth new life.  And truly, the older three were very attentive, for this story was one of intrigue and they wanted to hear about it. 

It began a fun night and ended being a magical one.  Something about beautiful lights, in colors and shapes in a place where running room was wide open.  My two oldest just have a built in urge to chase each other no matter what the venue, while my little ones toddled and Catherine caught a ride here and there on the stroller when she was not investigating the environment or giving the boys a run for their money.  I had brought hot chocolate, cookies and of course, marshmallows and we stopped for a well needed break, after roaming the complex, and seeing the elephants and their babies. There was a little Christmas concert with folks from a local church,  that ended up as background music for my group, for they didn't stay still too long. We walked the many short wall borders of the plants, took pictures, and stood gazing into the gift shop of which they were not permitted. (Of course you understand my hesitation on that!) It was an outing to remember for sure. 

But one of their favorite things to do when we get back in the car from any outing is to talk about it.  I ask questions and they answer them with great excitement.  Like how many babies did the elephants have? Or name the shapes of the lights. What was your favorite sight? What instruments did the choir have? What was the last thing we did before we got in the car? What was the name of the event? etc. Kids love to be asked questions they can answer...don't we all?  I even turned the conversation back to the advent wreath where the adventure began.  They knew the answers to what each of the four candles represented. Maybe part of the remembering was their involvement as each of them did get to blow a candle out before we left.  All but baby Molly, she was playing with the dog. It is just recall, and gives them a little time to absorb the adventure.  

                      

Reflection is a good thing, it makes us pause and consider the anticipation that comes before, the actual involvement that comes from the experience, and the lessons and memories that linger after. Everyone of us everyday is presented with events.  Some are joyful ones that we anticipate with gladness, others may be adverse ones that we approach with trepidation, while there are others that come upon us without notice and we have to face unprepared.  But whatever the adventure that God has brought before us, it has not been served without God's thought, reason or purpose. It may be one of joy, but so many times it is one that builds character, strength, and a furthered dependance on God's grace and his power.

If we reflect back on any event in our lives, there will be clear markers of God's presence, and His light in our darkness.  This particular event for the kids was titled "Zoo LIghts" and it was a display of how lights of color and design can illuminate the darkness and can brighten even the darkest of places. God is the light of the world and it is through His light that our darkened places of grief, sadness, adversity and pain can be brightened by God's promise of HOPE.  If we allow Him the partnership of our life, he will illuminate the dark places within us and around us, so that we can experience a faithful confidence in His works, reflect on his presence, and stand firm on the hope that God knows what he is doing and for what purposes....we can trust him.

We see lights at every turn this Christmas season, and we just just drive by them and say wow those are pretty or ask how did they do that or have you ever seen such a magical sight.  But maybe it would be good practice when we see an awesomely decorated well lit yard of lights that we think... if this is so pretty,  imagine how the light of God radiates and transforms the very bodies that we live in?  His love that shines within us reflects a love that has no bounds, promises that are guaranteed, a covering grace and life everlasting.  And God's light is not seasonal....it has the capacity to maintain for a lifetime on this earth and ever after. It is a heart light that gains its strength and momentum not by batteries but by love, the love of God who continually rescues, restores, replenishes and refills. 

John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

May your light shine for all seasons, but especially at this season of Christmas, may it be a reflection of the experience that you have 

everyday with Christ. 

Dear Lord, May your light shine brightly in the hearts of all of us who believe in your Holy name and may it be a beacon for those who are lost and do not yet know you. Amen