The Light

Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.    Collect for the 1st Sunday after Christmas

The Christmas “hoopla” is over. The lights will soon come down (or already have), and the new “toys” will soon be yesterday’s news. Our culture has done such a great job of commercializing Christmas that other countries have banned the appearance of Santa Claus for fear of the same fate we now suffer. For many people, Christmas is not a time of joy and satisfaction, but of loneliness and fear. Statistically, suicides and nervous breakdowns increase each year at Christmas, and law enforcement is stretched to keep up with the increased demand. For many, Christmas is a time of darkness.

It is no wonder—our television and radio and internet proclaim family and fun, but for many, that is nothing but an illusion, a bad joke of what might have been. The holiday has a beginning and an end, a crescendo of joy breaking into a valley of despair, a roller coaster ride of emotion to match the screaming dervish of activity we cram into the little time we have—sounds great, huh? For some, Christmas leaves behind disillusionment and disappointment.

And yet, there is good news for you! Whether you found joy at Christmas this year or did a fair job of faking it, or if it was a time you would rather forget, there is something here for you! God has poured upon us the new light…Jesus Christ our Lord!  I know, I’m not saying anything new, but I’m not saying anything boring either. I’m not talking about Jesus with Santa in the background, and I’m not saying “believe now and you will suddenly be joyous” (although that is possible). What I am saying is that God has done something for you.

For after the shock of the incarnation, the bold, sin-saving move of our audacious God, comes the enduring light. It is the light of Christ. It’s hard to look into that light. We have to squint and sometimes close our eyes or turn away. It takes time for our eyes to grow accustomed to the light, but we have to keep trying, squinting and straining to see where we are going. We all know that after a while, we do get used to whatever light there is, and we are lost and immobile when it is gone. God has poured a new light upon us so we can see where we are going, so we won’t trip or fall. It’s that light we celebrate, that gift of sight and companionship. It’s that illumination and warmth that sustains us; all the rest is illusion.

So pack away those icicle lights and Christmas tree bulbs, all in a tangle that will have you muttering next Christmas, too. Put away the tinsel and tree decorations. And with it put away darkness, put aside despair. For Emmanuel, our God is with us. And put on the armor of light. God has poured upon us the new light…Jesus Christ our Lord, not so we can rise and fall on seasonal celebrations, but so we can live in the constant light of God’s love. Christmas, Easter, Lent, Advent are purposeful bumps in the road with only one intention: to help us remember the road. They are not an end in themselves; quite the contrary, they are reminders of something greater than themselves.

The Light that shines in the heart of God is the light of love for you. I pray that for all of us, this light, enkindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
 
In His Light!
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Fr. Bill+
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