Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
As you get older you sense that a journey through the “valley of the shadow of death” is imminent. Absent fighting a war as a young man, like my dad did in his late teens, threats in early life don’t normally involve death. There are some “dark and gloomy days” that I can remember. The prospect of losing a job while supporting a wife and four children. Some times of uncertain health. The failing health of my parents. But I was not in death’s shadow. But that day will come.
The key words here are “even though.” Whatever the threat, with the Lord at your side, you have no reason to fear. This should be like the feeling you had as a child while walking with your dad in an eerie place. You weren’t scared because he was strong and he’d protect you. Truth is, once the shoe was on the other foot, you find that your dad was probably a bit concerned too!
But the Lord our shepherd carries a big stick to ward off the wild animals out there, and it’s just something about that staff that shouts out the power to save and dictate our circumstances.
The Light of the World
There was nothing more exciting at Christmas–besides the gifts–than putting up the Christmas lights on the eves of the house. My dad had a system and used the same lights each year. It was magical to see these lights through my window as I struggled to fall asleep on Christmas Eve. On this special night, my dad, ever vigilant to reduce his power bill, made an exception and left them on all night long.
Truth is, it was also difficult to sleep with him throwing parts around in exasperation trying to assemble the toys that would “magically” appear under the tree in the morning.
Next to spruce trees, outdoor Christmas lights are what set apart this particular holiday from others. Ask Clark Griswold. Who didn’t pile into the station wagon—I carbon-date myself—to see gaudy light displays on infamous Braddock Street? Every town has one of these streets by the way.
What I should have been focused on is what outshines even the most dazzling light display that could be produced by humankind. The shepherd’s witnessed it in the fields and it blew their sandals off. The wise men followed it in the sky to a little boy who’d change the world. But the forces of darkness have strived to snuff it out from its onset. In that light is life, and for some reason, the world would rather grope in the dark.
One of the saddest days for me was when the lights had to come down, like clockwork, on New Year’s Day. But thankfully, for those who’ve gazed at and accepted the Light of World, Christmas lights are on permanent display.