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Christmas Lights

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Christmas Lights

by John “Coach” Crowers, Brookwoods staff

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1-5)

At Christmas we love to see light displays. The days of December are the shortest in terms of sunlight, and therefore dark. However, during this time of year, the lights of Christmas illuminate our neighborhoods and towns. Not only that, but with the clear air of winter and the long nights, we can view the stars so much better. The light from the brightest of these stars, Sirius, which sits at the foot of the great winter constellation Orion, has taken eight and a half years to reach us. Go outside—dwell on the lights of Christmas. Then find a quiet place to view the stars and consider all of God’s creation. In this moment of reflection, think about the light that has come from Camp Brookwoods, Deer Run, and Moose River Outpost for more than 75 years.

Who or what was the true light referred to in the passage above? As all who have come to camp know, the true light that came into the world at Christmas was Jesus. Although, this physical birth was more than 2,000 years ago, that light shines as brightly today through the Holy Spirit as it did all those years ago to the wise men who followed a star to Bethlehem.

Thus, as you look at the light displays this year that shine in the dark, know the true light of the world has overcome all darkness. (That includes world pandemics, the health and safety for our families and friends, and the fear and anxiety that comes from the many unknowns.) Just as the darkest time of the night is right before sunrise, know that the darkness we currently acknowledge—any and all of it—is overcome by the lightwhich is eternally present through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas and Janet and I look forward to seeing you at camp this summer!

 Andrew, Janet and “Coach” Crowers


John “Coach” Crowers and his wife, Janet, live in the Atlanta area. He’s a retired math teacher and coach. At camp you can find him fishing with campers in his favorite spots on the lake or on the backfield teaching baseball or soccer. The last couple of summers he’s been working diligently on the Lake Cottage (the red cottage adjacent to the Swim Beach), researching its history and restoring the building. Occasionally, you’ll find him in the hammock listening to the Yankees…what can he say, he grew up in NJ before moving to Atlanta as a youth. He passes the non-camp months in his workshop, building and refurbishing antique canoes and motors. He likes to blog on Facebook, or reach out on email, johnwcrowers@gmail.com

 

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