Christmas Light: A Reflection on Isaiah 9:2

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined (Isaiah 9:2 NRSV)

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it . . . The true light which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world (John 1:5, 9 NRSV).

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

Light and lights are at the heart of our Christmas celebrations: lights on the tree, lights in windows, lights in our yard, wrapped around porch railing and strung from the edge of the roof. Some enthusiasts excel at finding ways to place lights in every available square foot of acreage they own. Some insist that lights be all white, others prefer multi colored arrangements and still others like the pulsating in-and-out glow that makes you dizzy after watching it a while. And of course, let’s not forget the candle-lighting at church.

We love lights – but the beauty of light is never fully seen apart from darkness. Few of us burn our Christmas lights during the day. We wait for night time. This simple fact helps us make sense of the prophet’s words. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The light is the child that is born to usher in a new era of peace and righteousness. But that light cannot be fully appreciated until we truly grasp what it means to walk in darkness.

There is a darkness that comes about uninvited, seemingly out of nowhere. It steals sleep and appetite, it saps energy and laughter, it breeds a hundred little anxieties. It refuses to be shaken. Many among us today walk in that darkness. This is especially painful at Christmas time. The sights and sounds and activities of the season assume that we’re all walking and basking in the light of life’s blessings. This isn’t always true.

And then there are those among us who walk in darkness because they’ve made choices that placed them there. There was a moment when the dark seemed to be light; there was good faith decision that triggered unintended and uninvited consequences. In some instances, the choice was nothing more than stubborn willfulness. No matter – sometimes the darkness we walk in is the darkness we chose.

The words of the prophet are good news for all who walk in darkness, regardless of how they got there. There is light; the light dawns as a gift of God’s grace. This light is Jesus . . . Jesus the light of the world.

We started a series of reflections several weeks ago that address our yearnings at Christmas. Maybe what we yearn for most is that the light spoken of by the prophet and embodied in Jesus would penetrate our world. Perhaps this is a season in your life when you are thoroughly drenched in the light of God’s good gifts to you. Maybe the faintest glimmer of that light is beginning to rise in the distance. Whatever the light looks like today, you can know with confidence that it is not God’s plan to leave you staggering around in darkness. That’s why Jesus came.

Prayer:
Light of the world, penetrate the darkness that seems so prevalent around us today: The darkness of warring nations, estranged families, broken dreams, and expectations. On this Christmas Eve we yearn for the light that only you can give. We yearn for the light that you gave to us in your son Jesus. Thank you for entering our dark world and transforming it with the light of your presence. Empower us by that same presence to be salt and light in the world, changing darkness to light wherever you call us to be. Amen.