Let there be Light

 

 A pink December sunset floated above our truck as we headed downtown to see the 60th annual lighting ceremony of the courthouse.

Light warmed the shop windows on Whiskey Row.  But across the street the courthouse was dark, and hundreds of people stood on the grass, along the sidewalk and in the street whispering and waiting.

Then a loud voice said, "Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus.... "

"And Joseph went up from Galilee...."

the voice continued to read through the scriptures, stopping every so often for a choir of all ages to sing a carol "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem..."

When the voice said  "And there appeared a multitude of angels singing 'Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth goodwill to men.'" 

SUDDENLY the lights went on!

Then everyone broke into a rousing chorus of Jingle Bells. Larry and Julie, and other friends joined us for the evening.









Afterwards Julie borrowed our camera and we followed her to the foot of the courthouse steps where she took this picture. Many families climbed the steps and took their annual Christmas portraits.

The evening ended...but the story continues...
"And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."

God has made himself known to us, through sending his Son Jesus, to tell us about his love for us. And Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him, will have eternal life."

What good news this is to all who put there faith in him!