The rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness …to guide our feet into the path of peace (Luke 1: 78-79). 

The red and green colors of Christmas often feel like they share more in common with traffic lights.  Red means wait.  I’m waiting for my vacation to start. I’m waiting for the Christmas parade. Maybe I’m even waiting for a Christmas miracle. 

Green is for go! Go, hurry! Get your holiday shopping done! Go finish all those end-of-the-year projects at work!  Go, hurry, there’s all sorts of holiday events you must attend!

Green! Red! Go! Wait! The flashing “Christmas traffic” lights send me in all sorts of directions. No wonder I struggle to find the peace and joy that is supposed to come with the Christmas season.

As I reflect on the Christmas story, I see examples of others navigating their own hectic Christmas experiences.  The path the Magi took was full of danger.  Mary and Elizabeth experienced unexpected and stressful pregnancies. Zechariah’s life leading up to the birth of his son was challenging as he sat silent for 9 months.  Yet I see these people navigating with a sense of peace and purpose.

In this passage, Zechariah declares that John will be called a “prophet of Most High” and “go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him.” Jesus is the “rising sun” that will come “to shine on those living in darkness.” John enters the scene as a different type of traffic light. He’s coming to say, “Stop going this way. Turn and go that way!” And that way is Jesus.

When I get dazed by the Christmas traffic lights, I find myself turning down the wrong road.   Instead of rushing from event to event, I will embrace celebrating the birth of Jesus with others.  I can safely ignore the signals that stress finding the perfect gift, and use giving as an opportunity to share the joy of Jesus with a friend.  I will ignore the red lights telling me to sit idle. Instead, I will seek connection with others as an opportunity to spread the joy of the season to all, regardless of their beliefs.  

In the congestion of our contemporary Christmas, I’m reminded to follow the signs, signals, and lights that point to Jesus. He is the path to peace. His light shows me how to connect with others. And Jesus empowers me to be a signal for others in need of his joy.  

Pick one spot right now where the “traffic signals” aren’t pointing you towards Jesus.  What signal is Jesus showing you to help guide you closer to him?  Or is there a sign pointing to someone else in your life, directing you to engage them with tidings of his joy?