The Light Shines

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it. – John 1:5 (LSB) 

“On every world, wherever people are, in the deepest part of the winter, at the exact midpoint, everybody stops, and turns, and hugs, as if to say, ‘Well done. Well done, everyone! We’re halfway out of the dark.’” (Doctor Who in The Christmas Carol, 2010) 

When I was a child, on the longest night in December, my mom would attach little sliver clips all over the Christmas tree. Into each clip, she would place a candle, which my brothers and I would jostle each other to light, while my dad stood by with a bucket of water, just in case. Then, we would step back and sit down. In the glow of the lighted tree, we’d sing carols until my (probably very relieved) dad would pinch out the candles one by one.  

I think those simple nights were the most content and hopeful of my childhood. The tree was a living, almost breathing symbol that the days would get longer, that the sun would return, that the Light was more powerful than any fear.  

Much later, my studies would tell me that Jesus could have been born any time of the year. I learned that early Christians located the holy birthday in this season because, at least in the northern hemisphere where I live, people were already celebrating the coming of the Light. To me, that does not diminish the power of our celebration of Christ’s birth; it magnifies it. It’s like today, on the Solstice, every cell in every living body is crying out, “Well done! Well done, everyone! We’re halfway out of the dark.” 

Prayer
Light of World, shine here, shine now, draw us out of the shadows of hate and fear and into your sunshine of love and justice. Amen.

About the Author
Rev. Jennifer Garrison (formerly Brownell) is a writer, spiritual director and pastor living in the Pacific Northwest. Her published work most recently appeared in the book The Words of Her Mouth: Psalms for the Struggle, available from The Pilgrim Press.