Christmas Lights

Does the word "SAD" describe you this Christmas season?

You may have heard of the condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. Research shows that in September when the days start getting shorter, many people begin to feel symptoms of sadness, fatigue, and sleepiness. This seems to be connected to the lack of light due to shorter days. Research shows that sunlight or specially made light boxes relieves the symptoms.

However we can't write off the knowledge that the holiday season brings increased depression for reasons other than lack of light. During the holiday season we remember the good times we've shared with family and friends. Times change. We can't live in those past memories and that brings a special sadness.

For those of us in houses divided, especially, there is a deep feeling of loss that no amount of light can overcome...or can it?

"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'" (John 8:12 NIV)

Therapy for people with the physical symptoms of S.A.D. includes viewing the light of a specially made light box for 15 minutes to two hours per day. We have a Spiritual Light Box and our therapy is the same. Our Spiritual Light Box is the Word of God. The Light of the World, Jesus Christ, is our source of strength and renewal.

Christmas is the time we get SAD because of lack of light. Yet this is the very season that celebrates the light we have:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was with God in the beginning.
3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
6 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John.
7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.
8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
-- John 1:1-9 NIV

The Light was coming, and the Light has come! Let us look to our light in this holiday season. We do not have to be Spiritually sad.

The people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned."

-- Matthew 4:16 NIV

Our light has dawned. Let us rejoice and be glad. Let us spend time with our Light, the Savior who came that first Christmas night to bring hope and healing to us. He will lift us from the Spiritual sad we are prone to feel. Our hope is in his Word.

Will you commit just 15 minutes a day to spend with the Light during this holiday season? 15 minutes of God's light can dispell the darkness and stay with us all day. Let's do it!

Next Christmas Light