Many of us struggle with seasonal blues. There is the loss of the warmth of summer, and the winnowing daylight, hitting a trough on the Winter Solstice.
It is not a coincidence that Jesus was born on one of the darkest days of the year. The timing of Christmas is providential, warming our hearts in the middle of the dark and cold.
From the first words of the account of His life, Jesus is called, “the light of the world.” Like a match struck in a dark room, that relatively small amount of light can overcome what seems like an overwhelming amount of darkness.
Saint John began his gospel account this way,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Later, John would share,
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
This light wasn’t just a flash in the pan. Jesus promised to be with us until the end of the age, as an eternal and enduring light amidst our trials and darkness.
Let’s pray. Jesus our Redeemer. Thank you for your light amidst the darkness of the Christmas season. Help us rest in the peace of your enduring light. Amen.