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By Rev. Pete Hyde

The night was cold and raw when he stepped out onto the balcony of the fifth-floor hotel room.  A persistent, spitting rain added a chill to the biting breeze and the gloominess of the evening.  The penetrating darkness of Mobile Bay stretched out before him.  Irregular points of orange lights dotted the far shore of the Bay, a couple of miles in the distance.  The eerie glow of the Mobile’s lights blanketed the far shore of the bay with an iridescent mix of orange and white.  The faint smell of burgers and fries drifted from the Burger King next to the hotel, adding a whole new dimension to the evening.  The evening was not quiet.  The constant traffic on I-10 filled the evening with tire noise and the rumble of diesel engines.

He shivered a little from the cold and damp but stayed on the balcony.  This would be his only opportunity to have a break in the busyness for a while. The activities of the Christmas season had piled up again this year. What happened to not letting it happen again this year?

His eyes tracked along the near and far shore.  There were no Christmas lights or decorations to be seen.  But then something caught his attention.  Stretching across the bay was a double line of red lights disappearing into the far side of the bay. Coming from the far side of the bay was a double line of white lights.  Like an unwrapped candy cane, the lights lazily curved their way across the bay on the long bay bridge. With an occasional break, the lights mostly moved in an unbroken line with no noticeable beginning or end.  So there were Christmas lights after all on this cold, damp evening.

But where were they all going?  Confined by the railings of the bridge with no recourse except to follow the crowd – go with the flow. No options to go in a different direction, just get in line and try not to get run over.  He fantasized that they were all singing Christmas carols and enjoying the season.  But he knew that was just a wishful fantasy.  Some were stewing over struggles at work or with family.  Some were surely stressing over the upcoming travel and family visits.  Some were grieving over a recent loss. Some were basking in the blessings of the season.

Down the highway, across the bridge they went.  Leaving not only a string of red and white lights but a trail of thoughts, issues, smiles, tears, laughter and joy as they joined the crowd of strangers all on the same journey, but going in different directions.

Wherever your journey takes you this Christmas season, go, knowing the baby born in the manger goes with you.  Whether there is a smile on your face in anticipation of the holiday or tears running down your cheeks, wishing it was all over, Jesus journeys with you.  When you journey with Him, you will leave a trail of light for all to see.  For that is what the season is all about – THE LIGHT OF CHRIST!

He steps out of the cold and back into the warmth of the hotel room.  His heart is refreshed in the anticipation of a couple of days away from the race.  His soul is refreshed knowing that The Baby walks or runs through the season with him.  Because it’s all about HIM!

The post A Pastor’s Ponderings: Christmas Light appeared first on South Walton Life | 30A News, Events and Community Information.

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South Walton Life | 30A News, Events and Community Information