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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Victorious Raiders parade trophy through downtown Ashland State police search for pursuit suspect near Hyatt Lake Police Reports Cheering on the champs Ashland's Safeway part of Haggen acquisition Education For a friend: AHS seniors team up to help former fellow student Ashland builds a bridge across the STEM gap Chicken pox hits Ashland Middle School AHS speech and debate team to compete in Medford Ashland: Lions Club steps up for vision tests Environment New TAP pumps bolster Ashland's options Most residents speak against gas pipeline proposed for Southern Oregon Home Help: Make your new house feel like home ‘Tis the season — for wild mushrooms Business Ashland's Safeway part of Haggen acquisition The Playwright pub will be serving again Saturday Mt. 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SOU tops Marian in NAIA football finals High school Shibley-Styer, Malcolm lead Grizzlies to comeback win over Henley Feinberg scores 17 in Grizz loss Grizzlies tripped up late in tourney loss to Ridgeview Grizzlies' comeback attempt falls short against Mazama Ashland girls win three duals in home swim meet Southern Oregon University Raiders bring it home Weber's triple-double help SOU men survive OT thriller For fans who made trip, title game special Cheering on the champs Shibley-Styer, Malcolm lead Grizzlies to comeback win over Henley Opinion Latest Stories Herb Rothschild Jr.: The Christmas spirit Our View: Good news this week The vaccination deniers Granlund cartoon: Christmas season Matthew T. Mangino: The future of the death penalty in question? Editorial Our View: Good news this week The vaccination deniers Other Views: Hunting helps the economy Our View: ACH's remarkable recovery Our View: Growing up is inevitable Letters Letters to the Editor, Dec. 17 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 16 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 11 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 8 Letters to the Editor, Dec. 5 Guest opinions Herb Rothschild Jr.: The Christmas spirit Guest Opinion: Heard the buzz about Bee City USA? Herb Rothschild Jr.: Fight Zionist suppression Guest Opinion: Life — and death — by choice Guest Opinion: The environmental tipping point Revels Latest Stories Dancing People Company celebrates the Winter Solstice 4 Things to do this weekend Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas Best Bets: Dec. 18-24 'Homesman' plays grit and despair perfectly Theater ACT presents reading of 'The Quality of Life' Putting the music into 'A Christmas Carol' Meet the real Jacob Marley Music Rating old-timers’ albums from 2014 SOU presents all-percussion concert Visual Art Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: This ‘Museum’ entry should be closed to the public Listings for Varsity Theatre and Ashland Street Cinemas 'Homesman' plays grit and despair perfectly Movie review: Exiting Middle-earth with a triumphant flourish Movie review: A captivating film about a girl gone ‘Wild’ Food and Drink Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Looking Up: The stars from the North Pole Suzette Martinez Standring: Christmas light reflections Health Watch: Change up your treadmill workout In Good Faith: Fallen angels Marketta Gregory: Advent calendar Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs NEWS NOW Victorious Raiders parade trophy through downtown Ashland ... State police search for pursuit suspect near Hyatt Lake ... Raiders bring it home ... Victorious Raiders parade trophy through downtown Ashland ... State police search for pursuit suspect near Hyatt Lake ... Raiders bring it home ... Suzette Martinez Standring: Christmas light reflections Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Dec. 19, 2014 @ 12:01 am Posted Dec. 19, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Social News By Suzette Martinez Standring More Content Now During the darkest nights of the season, I marvel at festive pinpoints of light, whether they are stars in the sky or from twinkling garlands. I love the New England tradition of a single candle in each window. For Christians, Dec. 25 serves up a giant birthday cake for Jesus Christ. Ironically, the season for peace on earth sparks division, whether it is about religious displays or correct greetings. For example, it is said Dec. 25 was commandeered from ancient cultures, and it was not Jesus’ actual birth date. Scholars do argue Jesus probably was born in the spring, or summer, or fall since Luke 2:8 reads, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” The cold and rain of a Judean winter would make that unlikely. It is believed a December Christmas date was superimposed over the period of the winter solstice, which marks the longest night of the year and a turning point when daylight begins to lengthen. Seasonal rebirth was exalted in various cultures. Three centuries after Jesus’ birth and under Emperor Constantine, the church decided to insert its Christmas commemoration into widespread winter festivals already taking place. As Christianity spread, Christmas eventually became the main celebration. So what? Whether Jesus was born in the spring or winter doesn’t detract from the power of his existence. George Washington wasn’t born on the third Monday of every February either, but Congress decided to create a uniform celebration. It’s the same thing. A much greater message can be overlooked. Everywhere holiday light is at its magical zenith, carrying symbolism that can be read in many ways. For me as a Christian, it represents the light of Christ that blazes hope in the face of poverty, war, violence, and despair. John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome.” Thus, even with promise, spiritual light carries responsibility. I am but a tiny pinpoint trying to make a difference. Faith gives me the incentive to reach beyond my grasp, for example, to forgive or to ask forgiveness. Let’s face it, “goodwill toward man” is not always returned, and discouragement can lead to inaction. Winter’s bleakness is a metaphor for the shadows within myself. Heeding the message of Christmas sends me searching within for my own pinpoints of lights. Can I string enough together to lighten someone else’s burden without thanks or recognition? A lone candle in a New England window pane shines above wintry streets, its owner never knowing whose hearts are cheered as they journey in the darkness. I say merry Christmas with love to all. Email Suzette Standring at [email protected]. She is syndicated with GateHouse Media and is the author of “The Art of Column Writing” and “The Art of Opinion Writing.” DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Dec. 19, 2014 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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