The Light of Christ in the Darkness of Winter

By The Rev. Jane Milliken Hague

Throughout our community here in Falmouth, families can be seen stringing lights on the trees and bushes in front of their homes. The night glows as I drive past their houses. The decorations are bright and cheerful, but it seems too early to put up Christmas decorations, or is it?

Our neighbors are actually honoring a tradition that began long before Christ’s birth was celebrated on December 25th.

In a few weeks, we will witness the shortest day of the year. Our daylight will be 8 hours and 55 minutes from dawn to dusk. The winter solstice, December 21st, occurs when the North Pole of the Earth is tilted farthest away from the sun, resulting in the shortest day and longest night of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice usually falls on December 21 or 22.

Many ancient cultures celebrated the winter solstice, including the Celts and the Norsemen. The Norsemen lit bonfires, told stories, and drank sweet ale. In ancient Rome, the winter solstice fell on December 25 on the Julian calendar, and people celebrated their sun god, Sol Invictus.

It is likely that the date of the birth of Jesus as December 25 emerged from a winter solstice tradition. The Bible offers few clues about the date of Jesus' birth, and the Gospels and Acts do not mention celebrations of his nativity. Christmas did not evolve as a major Christian festival until the 9th century. It has since become a whole season of celebration.

It is no wonder that we decorate with lights as we lose our precious daylight, but it does seem as if we are celebrating the Christmas season earlier and earlier. I believe it is because we are seeking the warmth and lightness of being. We feel the darkness permeating our news. We are worried and anxious about the economic insecurity in our country, and peace is evaporating throughout our world. It feels like a dark time, not just because the sunshine is minimal.

As Christians, we are called to seek the Light of Christ. Jesus spoke many times to his disciples of the Light.

The Gospel of John begins, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.“ (John 1:5 (RSV)

At the Temple Jesus spoke to his followers, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (RSV)

Whether it is our mood or the pending winter solstice, when things seem dark, let us turn to the Light of Christ. We can see it in the glee of young children, the twinkle of the lights that drape the trees and bushes, and the candles in the windows of our neighbors. Let us seek the Light of Christ in the smiles of those who gather at St Mary’s during this Advent and Christmas season.

This Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as we gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus and follow the Star in the sky through the 12 Days of Christmas to Epiphany, we honor that Light of Jesus’ love in our hearts. May we remember that our darkness will recede in the glorious light of Christ.