Christmas Turned Darkness into Light
It’s the most wonderful tiime of the year. Well, for some, it is and for others it may be the most challenging time of the year. I’ll admit I’ve been overreacting to all I need to do — the gifts to buy, the goodies to make, the activities and events to attend.
BUT, for me and you, let’s get a grip, take deep breaths, and take one day or one minute at a time. We should really be singing “It’s the most wonderful tiime of the year” with Christmas symbols and songs and the Baby to light up the darkness we might have encountered this year – and, for some, even today.
I have known great joy at Christmas. My daughter was born in December. And, as just a teenager, I knew heartache at Christmas when my dad went to heaven just eight days before Christmas.
But let’s wrap Christmas with a big red bow as a gift of joy, cheer, and sheer delight. We need it because there has been an enormous amount of darkness this year. As I type this blog, I remember the prophet Isaiah’s prophetic words that came true with Jesus’ birth. “The people who walk in darkness will see a great Light. Those who live in a dark land, the Light will shine on them.” (Isaiah 9:2)
Praise the Lord! The LIGHT is shining on us, too! Isaiah spoke of the coming Prince of Peace, and of the light and life He would bring. He spoke of light dispelling darkness. Isn’t that what we desire?
Light is central to our celebration of Christmas. The apostle John introduced his gospel by identifying Jesus as the “True Light, coming into the world, Who enlightens everyone.” (John 1)
Christmas is arriving for us with the same promises of Light and Life. We celebrate Christmas because the Light did come. Jesus’ birth was not only the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, but as the angels declared to the shepherds, this infant is “the Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” To understand Christmas is to know that the peace, hope, joy and comfort the Savior brings is because of His death and resurrection.
Light dispels darkness. That darkness is seen in those who are “in the dark” and lack knowledge of the peace and joy that the LIGHT brought us. Nothing could be so dark as those who prefer to live in the dark. But those of us who have personally encountered the LIGHT are childlike in our faith as we celebrate this season of LIGHT that points to God’s Son in Bethlehem’s humble manger.
We rightly point to Christ’s birth as the central event of human history and the dividing line between the age of darkness and the age of light. Who really wants to live in the dark? Certainly not those of us who have encountered THE LIGHT!
When we are anxious about all the “to do’s” of Christmas, we lose the real meaning of why Jesus came to earth for us. It is cliché but it’s still true – Jesus, THE LIGHT, is the reason to celebrate Christmas. It is His gift of LIGHT that fills us with celebration, thanksgiving, and rejoicing. I’m getting my Christmas party hat on – how about you?