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Light shines in the darkness

By  our Editor:

 

In most of Europe Christmas takes place at a dismal time. It is mid-winter. The days are short and weather is often cold, damp and dismal. This year in Britain we have seen abnormally cold days, snow, frost, fog and rain! Its no wonder that the Romans invented the mid-winter festival that is the origin of Christmas.

Of course the Christian Christmas story is about good news – a baby born to a family. The first child! Even then it is not all good news. There was no room at the inn. They had to use a stable. This was because of the Roman occupying army and the rules they imposed. Afterwards, the family had to flee to Egypt as asylum seekers as the king was looking to kill the child.

For many this Christmas, the outlook is just as bleak.. From Rape and murder in Eastern Bongo to hijacks shipping in Somalia to the bleak economic forecasts in Europe and USA. People losing their jobs everywhere. Not much to cheer about.

So the gloom of the time of year seems to match the gloom in people’s hearts and minds. It would be sanctimonious nonsense to suggest we should forget all this and just have fun. To start with the credit card won’t take any more.

Yet the real Christmas story talks of light shining into the darkness and darkness being unable to absorb and distinguish it. Jesus, as the light of the world, comes into a torn, suffering world and makes his living amongst the powerless ordinary people. His message is of hope, of God caring for us. He demonstrates that change does not happen by force but by love and relationship. That’s powerful stuff.

I hope that there will be at least a little light shining into your life this Christmas; that you will spend time with people who love you and who are loved by you. Most of all I hope and pray that you might sense some of God’s love for you.