The light that gathers us
December 23, 2024
As the holiday season envelops us, it's easy to get lost in the twinkling lights, festive decorations, and cheerful carols. But for many, this time of year can also bring a sense of loneliness, rejection, and darkness. The story of Christ's birth, often romanticized, holds within it a powerful message of hope and light for those who feel out of place or overwhelmed by life's challenges.
Imagine the scene in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago. A young couple, Mary and Joseph, arrive in town, exhausted from their journey. Despite Joseph's connections to the area, they find themselves without a place to stay. Doors are closed, rooms are full, and the expectant mother is left to give birth in a humble stable. The rejection they faced must have been palpable – no welcoming arms from family or friends, no comfortable bed for a woman in labor, just the cold reality of being alone in a crowded town.
This image of the holy family feeling out of place on that first Christmas resonates deeply with many of us today. How often do we put on a brave face, donning our festive sweaters and smiles, while inside we feel disconnected and adrift? The potential for postpartum depression, the strain on a young relationship, the shame of circumstances beyond their control – Mary and Joseph faced it all on that holy night.
But they weren't the only ones experiencing darkness. Outside the town, shepherds worked the nightshift, keeping watch over their flocks. These were ordinary people, clocking in for a difficult job, defending their charges against thieves and predators. The darkness surrounding them was both literal and figurative – a "darkness visible" that many of us can relate to in our own lives.
It's into this scene of rejection, loneliness, and darkness that something extraordinary occurs. An angel appears to the shepherds, and suddenly "the glory of the Lord shone around them." The Greek word used here, "perilampo," paints a vivid picture. This wasn't just a distant star or a faint glow – it was an all-encompassing light that enveloped them completely, filling every corner of their being.
Imagine being wrapped in pure light, feeling it seep into your mind, your emotions, your very soul. This radiant presence didn't just illuminate their surroundings; it penetrated their innermost being, chasing away shadows and bringing clarity to confusion. In that moment, these ordinary shepherds were transformed by an encounter with the divine.
The message delivered by the angels was one of profound hope: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." This wasn't just for the elite or the religious leaders – it was for hardworking, everyday people like the shepherds. The light of God's presence had come to dispel the darkness, and no one was beyond its reach.
Filled with this incredible light, the shepherds rushed to find the newborn Jesus. Their encounter with the holy family became a conduit for sharing the light they had received. As they spread the word about what they had seen and heard, amazement rippled through all who listened. Even Mary and Joseph, who had faced such rejection, were now enveloped in the warmth of God's light brought by these unexpected messengers.
This story reminds us of a powerful truth: we are not alone in our darkness. Whether it's the weight of depression, the ache of rejection, or the burden of shame, the light of Christ has come to pierce through our deepest night. Emmanuel – God with us – means that even in our most isolated moments, we are held in the embrace of divine love.
The challenge for us today is twofold. First, we must allow ourselves to be filled with that transformative light. It's easy to close ourselves off, to believe that we're beyond hope or unworthy of love. But the message of Christmas is that God's light seeks out even those in the darkest corners, wrapping us up and filling us completely.
Secondly, we're called to be like those shepherds – carriers of the light to others who are struggling. In a world often consumed by darkness, we have the opportunity to be beacons of hope. This doesn't mean pretending everything is perfect or ignoring our own pain. Rather, it's about allowing the light we've received to shine through our brokenness, offering authenticity and compassion to those around us.
The image of a candle-lighting ceremony beautifully illustrates this concept. As one flame ignites another, the darkness recedes. We become a community of light-bearers, each contributing to the illumination of our shared space. This is the essence of what it means to be the church – not a perfect group of people, but a gathering of those who have experienced God's light and are committed to sharing it with others.
As we navigate the holiday season and beyond, let's remember that we're all "working the night shift" in some way. Life can be exhausting, filled with rejection and challenges. But we are not alone. The light of Christ gathers us together, filling the empty spaces in our hearts and lives.
This Christmas, may we open ourselves to receive the transformative light of God's presence. May we find the courage to let that light shine through us, creating spaces of welcome and belonging for all who feel out of place. And may we remember that even in our darkest moments, dawn is breaking. A new day is here, full of hope and possibility, because Emmanuel – God is with us.
In this season of lights, let us be both recipients and bearers of the truest light of all – the love of Christ that gathers us, heals us, and sends us out to illuminate the world.
