A Christmas Letter

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone…for a child is born to us, a son is given us, upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-forever, Prince of Peace.”  (Isaiah 9: 1, 5)

Dear Friends,

     Jesus’ followers first celebrated Christmas around the year 150. They chose this time of year not in keeping with the actual date of his birth (which is unknown), but with the pagan festival of the winter solstice – the beginning of longer days – as a way of proclaiming their belief that with Jesus came the victory of light over darkness, of life over death, of God over gloom. But the light does not dispel the darkness; instead, it shines in the dark as a beacon of hope, a sign that we are not alone. God, understood as the Ground of Being, is incarnate in our midst no matter how difficult or unfair life may be.

     In whom does God dwell now that Jesus is no longer among us in the flesh? Where is the light that can give us hope in our darkest days? A 17^th century priest and physician, Angelus Selisius, once said: “If Christ were born a thousand times in Galilee it would be in vain until he were born in thee, in me.” Christmas in its fullest, spiritual sense isn’t just about history – Jesus born, scripture scholars estimate, around the year 4 BCE in Bethlehem – it is about mystery, God incarnate in 2025 “ in thee, in me.”

     The celebration of Christmas is filled with images of a babe in a manger, shepherds, and choirs of angels singing Jesus’ praise. This is a warm and wonderful story, but it easily becomes nostalgic and sentimental. When, on the other hand, we also realize Christmas is a celebration of God incarnate “in thee, in me,” it becomes an invitation to live in a way that bears witness to the presence and power of Love and Light.

     No matter what one’s beliefs or religious affiliation if any, Christmas can be a reminder that if our lives are to have meaning, if we are to fulfill our purpose, if this world is to become the “Kindom” (web of loving relationships) it is meant to be, we must live up to the truth of who we are – spiritual beings called to be people through whom “a light has shone.”

Have a warm and wonderful Christmas,