Fr. Paul Mark on the True Light: We inhabitants of the northern hemisphere find our days shorter our nights longer as the winter solstice draws close. Here at the 40th latitude the winter solstice gives nine hours of daylight, 15 hours of darkness. Is it any wonder then that there is a fascination for festive, colorful lights, to make the most of the dark hours of the season.
In local cities festivals of light are held to mark the opening of the holiday season, drawing large crowds to view the ritualized lighting ceremonies in the shopping districts. These ceremonies give comfort, creating a cozy atmosphere, hearkening to childhood memories of the holidays.
Our Christian practice of celebrating light, light as a symbol of Jesus Christ, predates all these wonderful, nostalgic practices. Every Sunday we pray our Creed at Mass, confessing the sacred words referencing the Incarnation, “God from God, Light from Light…”. In the Christmas season the texts of John 1:3, “the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it” and from Isaiah 42:6, “a light to the nations”, both references to Christ Jesus are proclaimed. But God shares this divine light with us through our baptism. We are “lit up”, as the light of God shines through us. St. Paul reminds us in 1 Thess 5:6, “You are children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness.” Finally, St. Benedict tells us in the prologue of our Rule to open our eyes to the Divine Light.
Growing up nearly 70 years ago I remember General Electric had an advertisement that said, “We make it our business to light up the world.” We Christians have had that as our baptismal promise for over 2,000 years. This season live your baptismal promise, make it your business to be the light of Christ, to light up our world.
Luminesce blessings to all,
Your brothers of New Clairvaux
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