"Emmanuel: Glimpses of God Incarnate," December 8

Wednesday, December 8

Psalm 27:1

“God is Light”

JESUS WAS NOT BORN ON THE 25TH OF DECEMBER. The exact day of his birth is uncertain. Why then do we celebrate it on that day?

After the annual day of longest darkness, ancient humans rejoiced as the amount of sunlight began to increase. Mistakenly the calendar of the Romans indicated that this transition, the winter solstice, took place on December 25th. To welcome this rebirth of the sun they held extravagant celebrations, not unlike our Mardi Gras.

In the fourth century, some Christian leaders, unsympathetic with the December 25th pagan sun festival, suggested that the God who made the sun—and in particular the birth of the son of that God—should become the centerpiece of that day and season. Over the centuries most Christians, with relapses along the way, have remembered that December 25th is about the birth of Jesus, the light of God incarnate.

“For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 4:6

Like a magnifying glass, Jesus spoke words about God’s light which, when written, made God’s way plain. Like a mirror, Jesus reflected God’s light into the dark corners of our institutional and personal lives. Like a prism, Jesus demonstrated in his ministry the beautiful diversity of God’s light. Like a lamp, Jesus focused God’s light to enable our walk on the path of discipleship. Like a telescope, Jesus brought distant, rarely understood aspects of God’s light closer to us.

Luminaries in a park, neighborhoods brilliantly aglow, courthouses festooned with bulbs, lights on your own tree, candles on your church’s Advent wreath—as you enjoy the illuminations of the season, be reminded that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of the One sent to bring God’s light to the world. “

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” - John 1: 9

– Rev. Dr. John R. “Pete” Hendrick (MDiv’52), Professor Emeritus of Evangelism and Missions