Every Christmas season, those small glowing decorations always light up in the corners of the house. They are hung on the Christmas tree, placed on the windowsill, or dotted in the center of the dining table, as if quietly igniting warmth on a cold winter night. These seemingly simple decorations actually carry more meanings than we can imagine.
When I was a child, I loved to lie in front of the Christmas tree the most, staring at the twinkling little bulbs and the shiny ornaments. They seem to be alive, breathing gently in the darkness and fighting against the long winter night with a faint yet resolute light. It was only when I grew up that I realized why these luminous decorations were so charming was not only because they were beautiful, but also because they symbolized hope and reunion.
During the longest night of the year, people light up these decorations, actually expressing their longing for light through actions. Just as the ancients lit bonfires to dispel darkness, modern people use these small colored lights and luminous ornaments to continue humanity’s instinctive pursuit of light. Behind every small lamp lies our anticipation for a better life and our cherishing of family reunions.
Interestingly, these luminous decorations often do not shine alone. They always appear in strings, complementing each other. This reminds me of the relationship between people – each of us is a small lamp. It may be weak when we are alone, but when we gather together, we can create a warm light enough to illuminate the entire room.
When decorating for Christmas this year, I deliberately placed a shining star on the windowsill. Every night when darkness falls, it lights up with a soft glow, not only illuminating the room but also seemingly reminding me: Even in the darkest moments, remember to light a lamp for yourself and others. Because light is never taken for granted; rather, it requires us to create and protect it.
These small luminous ornaments, year after year, remind us that light will eventually overcome darkness and warmth will eventually dispel cold. And this, perhaps, is the most touching magic of the Christmas season.
