The Joy of Light

It rained all over our costumes and instruments, with over 200 people in our group. Over $100,000 washed away in the rain, along with months of preparation.

I’ve heard this phrase so many times: “Light shines brightest in the dark,” but that day, no words could bring comfort to a group so disappointed.

Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year.” We look forward to food, family, shopping, and gift-giving. The powerful story of Jesus unites all our gatherings, no matter which part of the world you are from. Everywhere, there are similar experiences to celebrate in grand fashion the arrival of the King.

As a kid growing up in the Bahamas, I was most excited about a parade called Junkanoo (pronounced junk-a-new). I was 9 when my dad first took me to see it, and frankly, it’s an experience that is not translatable on a page.

Families leave their houses around 11pm on Christmas Day and head to historic downtown Nassau. The streets are lined with bleachers on both sides, with crowds shoulder to shoulder.

Everyone is waiting for their favorite music group to arrive. As they arrive, the crowd dances to an army of brass and goat-skin drums, where the music is loud in the chest and felt in the soul. Those in the bleachers dance shoulder to shoulder with no concern about their neighbors. Everyone is inspired by the intricate pastel-colored costumes decorated with lights, beads, and rhinestones. The dark night provides a backdrop for the light and colors to shine through. With costumes small enough to fit a child and others as large as a two-story building, everyone enjoys this celebration of so many things, including, in part, the arrival of the King.

I’ve also seen this event during the day when the sun is shining, and the weather is almost perfect. You know what’s noticeably different? The costumes. They aren’t as bright, and the colors don’t pop. They fade into the backdrop of the sun.

Jesus’ light shines bright for those of us who recognize we once walked in darkness. The road of life we traveled was leading to a life of trouble on earth and a certainty of hell in the next. The realization, as the Bible says, is that “our hearts are desperately wicked,” and only God could remove our heart of stone and put His Spirit in us, changing who we are.

It is on that darkened heart that God’s grace shines brightest. “Who will love the lender more, the one forgiven of $50 or the one forgiven of $500?” Jesus asked (Luke 7:41–42). By God’s grace, the light of God shines brightest on a troubled heart.

My dad first took me to Junkanoo at age 9. I dreamed of the day I would get to put on my costume and perform with a group.

I finally joined a group when I was around 16 years old. It was a brand-new group and distinctly identified as a Christian group representing Christ in costumes and music.

Everyone was excited at our first rehearsal. We began in September with Saturday rehearsals from 9pm to midnight. Our group worked hard rehearsing every Saturday into the early hours of the morning. During the week, costume designers worked diligently to build pieces for a group of about 200 people.

I remember leaving home around 10pm on Christmas Day to meet the group downtown so we could perform for the crowd.

We started our performance, which would last about an hour, as we danced down to the end of the street.

Everything was going well. The crowd was dancing, and our costumes were incredible. We felt as though we could win our category. However, we didn’t anticipate what would happen next.

It rained, pouring down like a scene from a movie.

“It rained all over our costumes and instruments, with over 200 people in our group. Over $100,000 washed away in the rain, along with months of preparation.”

The group finished our performance, and at 2am, I found myself in a shelter with some friends.

Jesus said, “In this life, you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” Jesus offers the disciples hope and peace on the backdrop of difficult days. This promise is true in all times and places. Through His grace, the light of God can shine bright through difficult days. In sickness, divorce, unemployment, and yes, even a fire.

May this Christmas season remind you that the light of God has come. His light brings forgiveness for sin, peace for your trouble, and eternal life on the backdrop of death.

Okay, so back to my Christmas memory.

Disappointment rested on many members of our group. I don’t even remember how I got home that morning—who does when 3 am finds most people dreaming? However, the night’s dreary ending allowed us to further appreciate the results of the competition. 

When we turned on the news, we learned we won!

Questions for Thought

1. How did God’s light bring you hope when you were in a dark season?
2. Who in your life can you show God’s light to this Christmas?

Daily Challenge

Remember this: “Darkness is an opportunity for God’s light to shine.”