A Mega Display

In my last couple of posts, I have been talking about an element in lighting displays called a matrix. However, probably the most popular display element due to the nature of the Christmas is called a Mega Tree. It is exactly what its name suggests. Mega Trees can come in different shapes and sizes, and they are used in a variety of ways. Not only can you display wonderful effects; but depending on the design of the tree, you can also display images and storylines on them as well. Key point, they must physically match the name – which means they need to “mega” or “big” – and because of that, they are typically a major attraction and the center of attention.

In our light show, we have 2 Mega Trees – one on each side of the house. The trees themselves are over 20 feet tall once you add the star on top. The construction of a mega tree is challenging due to the size (more on that in future blogs potentially). However, a

typical mega tree has 16 strands of lights. One of our trees uses pixel strips which means each strand has 50 pixels with 150 LEDs. The other tree uses pixel nodes. On this tree there are 100 nodes (LEDS) per strand. Between the 2 trees, they will be shining 4,000 bright LED lights your way. And I hope they not only shine mega bright, but I hope they also bring mega smiles on the faces of those who come to see them.

Closing Thoughts

Did you know the word “mega” is used in the Bible? It’s never translated as “mega” (as far as I know), but there is a Greek word, megas, which is where we get our English word; and this Greek word (megas) is used approximately 230 times in the New Testament❶. Many times, it is translated as “great”.

One of the verses that caught my attention is found in Matthew 4:15-16.

15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—

16 the people dwelling in darkness

have seen a great light,

and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,

on them a light has dawned.”

Matthew explains in verse 12 why Jesus “withdrew into Galilee”, but then also explains that this simply fulfilled one of hundreds of prophecies about our Lord. He called their attention to Isaiah 9:1-2. But in so doing, he notes where Isaiah said that the “people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light.” Again, the word here is “megas”. You could say that they have seen a “mega” light. I hope our Mega Trees shine bright during the night; but more importantly, I hope you will look to the “great light” that is signing even now in the darkness of the world around us – Jesus Christ. That is the most important Mega Light Display of all.

Thanks for taking a moment to read this blog and supporting us as we continue Fostering the Holidays.

❶https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/megas.html