christmas lights

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CHRISTMAS LIGHTS So far as we know, the life-like figures on our grounds are one-of- a-kind. They are made from round steel rod, one-quarter inch in diameter, bent cold to the desired form, and welded together into the shapes you see. There are no jigs and no patterns. There are two-dimensional figures and threedimensional ones. The three-dimensional figures compose eleven distinct scenes, each illustrating something we should slow down and think through as we celebrate Christmas and enter yet another New Year.

TIME TO RUN Just to the west of the main entrance to our parking lot, an adult bull elk is no match for the superior strength and shear power of an adversary. Overmatched, he begins his flight as a young calf bolts from the fray to the safety of its mother’s side. There are those times when we are overmatched, when we find ourselves in the midst of problems that are beyond us. There is “a time to run” to God.

JUST PLAYIN’ By the river a mother bear catches a fish to sustain the lives of her three cubs. While she works they’re “just playin”, unaware of the magnitude of her efforts expended for their welfare. Nearby a litter of exuberant coyote pups overwhelm their emaciated mother, who has patiently met their needs for weeks. There’s a time to slow down and contemplate all that God has sacrificed for our eternal welfare.

DEPENDENCE To the east of the bears you will see the symbol of American independence, the cowboy. The scene depicts the reality of his dependence on the skill, speed and strength of his horse and on mere chance as well. Our reality is that we are dependent on God for our every breath. The good part of that is that He is good and can be trusted.

SIMPLER TIMES As you continue south you will come to a scene depicting times gone by. A man hauls a Christmas tree home to his family, while his young son rides along in the back of the wagon, doing the things that young boys love to do. The scene speaks to this reality: while there is much we might want, there is very little we actually need and contentment is often captured when we simplify our lives.

FIRST RESPONSE As you turn around and head back north, look at the scene on the roof of our Gymnasium. It is meant to capture the moment when the angel first appeared to the shepherds in the hills outside Bethlehem. To both shepherds and sheep the sight of this alien being must have been an unnerving experience. They are startled and frightened by such an unfamiliar sight. Instinctively, those closest begin to flee. This moment of confusion ended when the angel reassured them with the words, “Don’t be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Our first response when God begins to do something in our lives is very often one of fear.

SHOWIN’ OFF Turn east and pass in front of our Gym. You’ll come to a scene called “Showin’ Off.” A group of children are depicted playing adolescent games in the snow. Two boys show off as girls pass by in a sleigh with their father. We love the games of youth, and it’s easy to just keep playing those games as life passes by, trying to build a certain image, trying to establish a name, just “showin’ off.” There is a time to put away the things of youth and move on to life’s bigger issues.

THE SCENE We have purposely placed what we believe is the central scene of Christmas in a place where it is isolated from the traffic of the rest of the lights. We encourage you to visit it. Park your car and walk east through the middle of the “Showin Off” scene. Continue east to the large building where our main services are held. Just to the east of the main doors of that building in an isolated corner you’ll find THE scene. It represents a reservoir of truth we all should take more time to search out. It depicts the beginning of a unique life, the life of Jesus Christ. Mary holds a baby, a unique one. He was the baby who was God, born in human form, to live and die in such a way that our relationship to God could be restored. Jesus came into the world in a very normal way. He had the experiences of a normal baby. If you look close, you’ll see that Mary is doing what normal young moms do, pinching the chubby cheeks of her new little one. Joseph laughs with joy in the moment. A curious cow with her own offspring at her side watches, and a donkey casts a curious glance at the family, or perhaps at you. This all depicts a profoundly simple event that speaks to the complexities that all the other scenes represent. This baby was the person that would recapture real living for all who would believe and listen.

REJOICE EXCEEDINGLY On the far east side of the same big building you’ll see some simple figures that depict the wise men making their way to see the baby born to be king. There is much about the wise men that we do not know. We do not really know how many there were. We know that their visit was actually made later, perhaps when Jesus was a year and a half old. We present it here in the way it is traditionally thought of, as occurring on the night of Jesus’ birth. The scene is meant to depict the moment when they spot the special star that had been their guide during their journey from the east. They are said to have “rejoiced exceedingly.” The first wise man, a leader, points out the star and motions to the others to follow. The second wise man, a free-spirited type, drops the reins and celebrates with abandonment. The response of the third is more calculated, he simply celebrates by raising a clinched fist. As then, God is seeking to draw all kinds of people to himself

COLLISION COURSE As you return to your car you will notice on the roof of our Administration Building a scene that speaks to passing time. Two young mountain sheep playfully test their growing strength. Their frisky play belies the reality that they are on a “collision course” with each other and with the mature ram that looks on. For now, he dominates. But very soon his time will have run its course and their time will have arrived. God imparts wisdom and strength to help us prepare for those unavoidable realities of life that bring such profound change.

UNEASY PEACE At the northwest corner of our Administration Building, a white tail doe grazes. Another, sensing that all is not well, alertly listens. A buck bedded down nearby warily sniffs the wind for a possible clue. Theirs is an “uneasy peace.” They are uncertain about the unknown, yet somehow comfortable. We have a way of getting comfortable in our uncertainty of eternity, of simply fashioning and accepting an uneasy peace. There’s a time to face the warning signs and ask ourselves the hard questions.

OBLIVIOUS Also along Virginia Drive, a group of mule deer casually and securely go about the various routines of their survival “oblivious” to the fact that they have been fooled. A mountain lion crouches just down wind, awaiting an opportune moment. It’s easy to be lulled into a false sense of security, failing to come to terms with the life and death of the one whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. We hope that the closer you look the more you’ll see. The truth these figures represent is like that. We would consider it a privilege to help you take a more intent look at the truth of Christmas. We have found great joy in the Savior who was born that night in Bethlehem, while the world slept. We invite you to join us in celebrating His birth at the events listed below. Our best wishes to you for a warm and wonderful Christmas season!