"...They've lasted for so many years"

According to my men in the field (CNN.com), due to severe ice storms in the South, there may be 20,000 homes in rural Kansas and Oklahoma that will not have their electricity working by Christmas.

What does this mean?

That thousands might have to celebrate Christmas without Christmas lights (which is like celebrating the birth of Jesus with no coniferous German fir tree).
Now, I'm not saying that this is a sign that God hates Christmas and loves Hanukkah, but...

According to one Oklahoma boy, the 7-year-old Josue Velasquez, it IS!

"We've gone eight days without lights," the boy said. "We just sit on the couch and wait for the lights to come on."
Y'know, I recall another group of people who needed light for eight days. Remember what they did? Hm?? Oh yeah, they beat the crap out of Anthony Quinn! Maccabees:1, Zorba:0.
My Big Fat Greek Ass-Whoopin'!

Come on, People of the South, join the winning team! Over two thousand years ago, Jews in Ancient Israel learned that oil is the solution to everybody's problems, and it's still true to this day!... especially in that part of the world.