There are nine houses on our court and all of them have Christmas lights. It's great to turn onto the cul de sac and be surrounded by cheerful colour. None of the displays are "over the top," it appears that all of them are on timers for ten o'clock, and I'm hoping that they are all energy efficient. A few blocks over there is house and yard which probably couldn't hold any more lights, some of them flashing wildly. What's it like to be a neighbour?
Probably the most bizarre display anywhere has been "outed" by the folks at Ship of Fools, who last year named this Blue Springs, Missouri display their 12 Days Of Kitchmas winner.
It wouldn’t be Christmas unless we blissfully burned up limited reserves of non-renewable energy. After all, the shepherds had angelic hosts, the wise men had a star – so bring on those flashing, rooftop Santas. At least in Blue Springs, Missouri, they’ve gone beyond the usual fare. Passing motorists are invited to rubberneck the blood-soaked scourging of Christ – a Mel Gibson-inspired Bible belting of truly epic proportions. Like it or loathe it, it’s a discussion starter and earns this year’s top award.
I shook my head when I first saw this, then I thought about the frustration I've felt at times about Christmas becoming some vague, kitchy buy-fest. And how Santa has become the holiday god for many, without even a passing reference to the Christian compassion of St. Nicholas. And how easily we forget that even for Christians Christmas wouldn't be celebrated without Easter, And yes, that we have to make the journey through Holy Week to become Easter people. Actually, I checked it out and the folk in Missouri tell the Jesus story through to the empty tomb.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bendystraw/sets/1521083/show/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bendystraw/sets/1521083/show/
Relax, you won't find the crucifixion in LED colour on my front lawn now or ever. This is still a weird choice for the cheery lights of Christmas. But it is important that we all make the Christmas to Easter connection if any of this is going to make sense.
What do you think? Are you on your way to CT or HD to pick up the lights for your new Via Dolorosa creation? Is it important to be mindful of the entire symphony of the Incarnation, not just the opening strains?
3 comments:
I always have to go to Lowe's first, CT, and HD being the competition in my family! I like to have a few lights out, especially in the darkest season of the year ... really don't like garish, flashing monstrosities...
We struggle to put up lights,even in intemporate weather, to signal to our neighbours that we are delighted they are part of our lives. Sadly, we don't always extend that message beyond the street where we live.
Okay, so no flagellations scenes on your streets. Good to know! Thanks.
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