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 Darrell Yoder, M.Div. is the Director of Operations for ITS. He received his undergraduate degree from Liberty University and his M.Div. from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He and his wife of five years, Cindy, have two beautiful children, Grace and Brady. When not spending time with his family, Darrell can be found hanging out at a local coffee shop, joggling through a neighborhood, or leading a small group Bible Study for Ada Bible Church.
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It’s Cold and Very Dark
“Isn’t there anyone that knows what Christmas is all about?” – Charlie Brown
The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting longer, the air is getting colder, and everything seems to be dying. That’s at least true for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere—especially here in the frozen states. Winter is closing in all too quickly.
Yet, the world is a dark place even in the summer. Even when all seems bright, no one can miss it. It seeks us out. No matter how innocent a child is, she is going to be hurt by someone, wounded by those she will love. We live in a broken world where economies crash and people fail to love us the way we long to be loved. And it hurts. For many there is real pain, hatred, and loneliness just around the corner. It’s cold and very dark.
 A man has lost his job after twenty years of faithful work because sales are down. A family is forced to move because they cannot afford the house they have grown to love—the only home their kids have ever known. A daughter is frightened by her own father because of the way he touched her, fearful he’ll do it again (she knows he will). A husband is lonely because the wife he loved more than anything is gone. It’s cold and very dark.
But something happened when Jesus came. Something profoundly mysterious occurred. God became a human. The Light of the World stepped into darkness. The words of our old friend, Simeon, ring in our ears:
“For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:30-32, NIV).
 After Thanksgiving we will put up strings of lights, decorate evergreens, turn down the usual less attractive lights, and sit in childlike wonder. Something about it feels so warm. No, the temperature won’t change, but the light of the tree and the lights on our homes reminds us of something: Into the cold and dark world of winter steps the light of Christmas. But it’s more than just a holiday tradition.
I know you hung them yourself, but next time you see your lights, lift your eyes (your eyes of faith) a bit higher and recall that our Lord came as a light for revelation and a light for glory. Into your cold and dark world stepped the light of Jesus Christ, and he brings a warmth that truly changes hearts.
The season of winter and this somewhat silly tradition of hanging Christmas lights really do (or can) help us experience in a physical way what we know spiritually. We await the renewal of spring and the warmth of the sun to melt the snow, green the grass, and bring life to our trees. In much the same way, we await the coming of our Lord when he will finish his work of redemption in our lives and in creation.
He has already begun to work in our hearts—the warmth of forgiveness, the light of sinful habits broken, the joy of intimacy between friends. These are the lights that remind us of something big God is going. But it’s still cold, and the darkness is still here. The world is still broken, and the pain is very real. But we do have hope.
 A new Christmas tradition is forming for my family, something we started last year with my three-year-old daughter. After we have trimmed the tree, we make popcorn and sit together in the warmth of our home marveling at its light. And we watch that classic Christmas cartoon, “Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!” It’s such a simple story (one my daughter absolutely loves), but I look forward to talking with her between mouthfuls of popcorn about the depth and significance behind what Linus so eloquently quotes. I want to say, there’s so much more. But for now, as it continues to blow bitterly cold outside, we just enjoy the warmth and light of our home.
As you celebrate Christmas, the birth of our Savior, in your own way—perhaps you sing songs, drink egg nog, or play games together—whatever you do, I pray you will allow the light of this holiday—in the midst of winter’s darkness—to awaken a longing in your heart for what Christmas anticipates. Spring is coming. It gets even better than this.
Darrell Yoder, M.Div.
Director of Operations |
