A Light in the Darkness

"The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone" (Is. 9:1).

These words of the Prophet Isaiah were read at the Mass during the night for Christmas.  That is the promise of Christmas - a light that shatters the darkness, the Light that leads us to the Father.  This light can never be extinguished.  People are living in darkness today.  We prefer darkness over light because in the darkness we do not need to face ourselves and others.  But to live in darkness is to live without truth, and we know that the Truth is what sets us free.  Hence, to live in darkness is to live in bondage and slavery.  The Good News is that in the fullness of time the Word was made flesh and this Word was the light.  Jesus is Our Light.  Jesus is our Light that illumines our darkness.  Jesus is the Light that frees and liberates us from our bondage and slavery to sin.  On Christmas day this light was born unto us in a manger - a feeding box for animals. 

Our Lord came as food for us.  It is the Eucharist that nourishes us and sustains us.  Our Lord came to set us free from slavery to sin and to nourish us and sustain us in our fight against sin and temptation.  Truly, those who have walked in darkness has seen a great light!  We, who have dwelt in the false comfort of darkness can now live freely in the light.  That is not to say that we have not more sin, shame, or guilt, but that we know we are more than that.  We can live freely with our heads held high not because we are worthy or we have earned that right, but because we are simply and immeasurably loved.  Out of God's infinite love for us, He sent His Son into the world to be our Life and Light.  Because we are loved, we do not have to be afraid of the darkness.  Because we are loved, we do not need to be afraid of trials and persecutions.  Because we are loved, we do not need to be afraid of being abandoned.  This is the joy and promise of Christmas: the Light that shatters and illumines our darkness, the Life that endures all suffering, and Emmanuel - the assurance of God-with-us always. 

Let us follow the shepherds and approach the manger, where the Life and the Light of the world lay.  Let us humbly approach the manger, stepping out of the darkness and into the light, and receiving the food that nourishes us and sustains us.  All this we can do because God came to meet us first.

Merry Christmas!


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