We are now going through the seasons with tremendous acceleration. Please note that I’m not speaking here of the seasons of winter, spring, summer and fall, but rather the seasons of the macabre (Halloween), remembrance (Thanksgiving), and the majestic (Christmas). These “seasons” are indeed distinct, but at the same time they are linked together with deep significance if we would but pause and consider them as one.

Halloween can represent for us the dark spiritual battle which rages around us each and every moment. There are forces of evil, demonic powers, that always seeking someone to deceive, devour, and destroy. The Apostle Paul informs his readers that we are in a battle with spiritual forces that are set for the purpose of utter destruction. Paul states that we are not in a battle with flesh and blood, but with powerful beings who are bent on wreaking havoc in the lives of unsuspecting, unprepared individuals.

During this season, we see individuals who transform themselves into other personas. They wear masks and costumes which hide their true identity. They pretend to be something, or someone, other than who they really are. This reminds me of a rather sobering statement the Apostle Paul makes in his correspondence with the Corinthians: “Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” Satan is out to destroy. His emissaries, the demonic angels who rebelled with him when he was cast  out of heaven, make up that vast horde of spiritual forces who transform themselves in what appears to be ministers of righteousness, but who are, in reality, opposed to every vestige of righteousness.

And thus, we are warned. This moves us to the next season: Thanksgiving. As we are warned about the antics of our enemy, we are motivated to give thanks to our true Father of Light, who sheds His spiritual light into the spiritual darkness of the enemy. It is this light that shows us the way out of the darkness, which leads to destruction and death, into the light that leads to wholeness and life.

But the question arises, “What exactly is this light?” And the Bible gives us the answer in clear, unmistakable terms. Jesus said of Himself, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” There is one, and only one, way to escape the destructive forces of darkness. Left to ourselves, we are totally hopeless and helpless. But thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, and the light of His life, we are given the means to escape the forces of our enemy. We should be moved with constant and consistent gratitude because of the gift of Light which brings the gift of Life.

And this leads us to our third season: Christmas. Into a world filled with spiritual darkness and decadence Jesus Christ made His entrance. Through the most humble of beginnings He is born to a young virgin named Mary. He carries this stigma of illegitimacy  for the entirety of His earthly life. He is God among men, but treated as the lowliest man of all. He is maligned, mistreated, abused, cast out, and ultimately crucified. All according to the eternal plan of His Father. And all carried out with the commitment of obedience to fulfill His Father’s will, and bring salvation to men, women, boys and girls who were deceived by the darkness of the evil one.

The Apostle John, in the opening verses of his gospel, makes this statement: “In Him [Jesus] was life, and the life was the light of men.” Jesus is the light who gives life. 

So, there you have it. Darkness, deceit, and death represented by the season of Halloween; remembrance with gratitude represented by the season of Thanksgiving; and, Life and Light invading and dispelling death and darkness represented by the season of Christmas. 

Have you been transferred out of the darkness of the world into the light and life Jesus offers?  If not, why not now? This very moment, acknowledge your desperate need for God’s gracious offer of salvation. Accept His offer of the life and light of His Son, Jesus Christ. And finally, thank Him for His most wonderful gift. Then, you will be able to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas for the very first time.