Christmas reflections, Part 1: Lights

So, why do we put up Christmas lights? Of course, they are part of spreading “good cheer” and adding to the festive spirit of the holiday season, but their roots go much deeper. As with most things about Christian traditions, they borrowed from older practices. For example, the Roman festival of Saturnalia dates back to the 3rd century BCE and involved the lighting of candles and lamps around the time of the winter solstice. Although the festival is linked to the god Saturn, it was a symbolic representation of the promise of the sun’s return.

Another Roman celebration I like is the festival of Sol Invictus, meaning the “Unconquered Sun”. This was established by Emperor Aurelian in the 3rd century AD and, probably not coincidentally, was celebrated on 25 December. Other traditions embraced the theme of calling on the light in the midst of winter darkness. In Norse and Germanic cultures, they lit a Yule log and candles, while the Iranian Yalda Night brought families together around bonfires in ancient Persia. Closer to home, Celtic people lit fires on the solstice, believing they held protective and purifying powers.

Putting Christmas lights on trees is a much more recent phenomenon. It is often credited to the 16th century Protestant reformer Martin Luther who, the story goes, was inspired by the twinkling stars through the evergreen trees, and tried to create a similar effect by decorating a fir tree with candles. Not surprisingly, Christians also make the association of lights with Jesus, who was seen as the harbinger of light into the darkness of the world. I like how, in many cities and towns, turning on the Christmas tree lights has become a community event.

I take inspiration from all of these traditions and the meanings people have attached to them. For me, it is about getting through the season of darkness – both literally and figuratively – by holding onto the flame of hope. It’s about remembering that it only takes one candle to dispel the dark; and indeed that it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. It also reminds me to be okay with the cold and the dark, knowing that it won’t last, and appreciating that darkness is an incubator of creativity, like the fertile soil for a seed.