The Real Light to Focus On
Christmas Message December 2021
At the moment in New Zealand there is much talk about traffic lights. I’m referring not to the scarcity of them in Central Otago, (though I was a little surprised when I came across a set on station street, Alexandra recently) I am talking about the New Zealand governments response to the worldwide pandemic that continues to impact our lives and globally has claimed over 5.2 million lives. New Zealand has so far avoided the worst that the pandemic has brought, those days however are ending. You will read our parish councils response to the Covid protection framework later in the ACLaim.
It is easy for us to get so bogged down in the challenges of the world that we lose our real focus. At this time our focus should be on readiness, for the coming of Christ, Immanuel. We forget that Jesus came to earth and is the light of the world. At advent we mark the passing weeks in church as we light candles in anticipation of lighting the Christ Candle on Christmas Day.
Advent gets its name from adventus, the Latin word for “arrival.” As the Christian church solidified in the fifth century A.D., so did traditions around December 25. Historians have tracked the first formal Advent celebrations to northern Italy, where churchgoers observed a weeks-long preparation for Christmas that involved fasting, prayer, and reflection on Christian values.
Eventually, that preparation became known as Advent. By the sixth century, Christians in France celebrated a five-week “St. Martin’s Lent” that included fasts and abstaining from sexual intercourse leading up to Christmas.
With regards to the approaching Christmas season, you may have your own traditions: perhaps marking the days with an advent calendar, you may spend time writing Christmas cards to friends and family, you may start the process of working out gifts for loved ones or you may take a more reflective and contemplative pose. But as the weeks go by the advent wreath increases in brightness, until all the candles are lit. As we journey with Christ, the light of the world, we too can become brighter, though sometimes on our journey, the light will be dimmer, and we might feel like we need more light. We may well be feeling this way in this season. Other times the light will burn brightly, and the presence of God will burn like a fire within us. But whatever the case, there will always be a little bit of light, if even just a spark. Jesus said, “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). As we journey through this Advent, let us pray that, not only will we find a little light on our path, but that we might be that light for others.
The story of Christmas is entwinned with the story of the Magi visiting the newborn king, the light of the world, though more than likely this didn’t occur until around Jesus second birthday.
When Jesus was born in the village of Bethlehem in Judea, Herod was king. During this time some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and said, “Where is the child born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-12 (CEV)
From the beginning of God’s story light plays a pivotal role, and that light is often expressed as a breaking through darkness. The first expression of light is from the creation narrative when God spoke “let there be light” and out of the void and the all-consuming darkness came the light. Before the sun shone in the sky, the Son was already bringing light into the world.
The psalms too reference the light of God. And the power that light has.
You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. Psalm 18:28, and Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:7-12
Let us remember this season of Advent and Christmas tide, that Christ coming into the world was a great light in the darkness. And darkness has never put it out. The circumstances we find ourselves in may feel dark at this time, we may have concerns, fears, and uncertainties to contend with. But Christ’s birth, the entry of light into the world, Christ coming to be with us; is great news that we can draw on. Just as people from throughout history have drawn on Christ’s light and presence in truly horrifying times.
May the peace, joy, hope, love and light of Christ’s birth surround, sustain and inspire you this Christmas.
Merry Christmas
Rev Andrew Howley