Posted: 12/15/04
CYBERCOLUMN: Christmas comes with light
By John Duncan
The Presbyterian preacher George Buttrick used to say that Christmas is the time when God “came down the backstairs of heaven lest he blind us by his light.” When Christmas arrived in Bethlehem, no neon light greeted him to announce his coming. The simple light of a star shone over the manger. Christmas comes with light.
C.S. Lewis called Christmas “the grand miracle.” He did so because Christ came in humility and light. Christmas comes with light.
I cannot help but think about the complexity of Christmas in these days: War in Iraq; starvation in Afghanistan; decay in Russia; fisticuffs and NBA brawls in Detroit; holiday plans; last-minute shopping; and the stress of the holidays. Still, Christmas comes with light.
| John Duncan |
Every year when Christmas rolls around, for some reason, I think of Christmas cookies. I think of the Christmas Eve I went to deliver Christmas cookies to Daniel. He had no place to live. He lived in the office where he worked. It was a cold, rainy Christmas Eve. I arrived, knocked on the glass door. Daniel stood at the door, crying. He stood, crying tears on Christmas Eve, drunk, alone. Daniel later gave his life to Christ, but the last time I saw him he said, “Old Daniel’s in the lion’s den again.” The darkness of Daniel’s past overshadowed him again. Darkness fills many hearts at Christmas. But Christmas comes with light.
I love this time of year: The celebrative music; the joy of carolers at your door on a frosty night; the pageants where shepherds dress up in bathrobes and child-like angels wear homemade wings and wise men come bearing, as one boy said, “gold. frankincense and fur”; the festivity of Christmas parties; the Christmas lights decorating neighborhoods; and the happiness and sometimes stress of families gathered together.
Several years ago at Casa Grande, Ariz., a man asked his wife, “Where do you want me to put the Christmas tree?” She replied, “I don’t care if you hang it from the ceiling!” He hung the tree from the ceiling, decorations, icicles, lights and all. Christmas comes with light.
Christmas, though, incites memory: Loved ones gone to be with the Lord; favorite gifts; family celebrations. Even in the sadness and darkness of those memories, Christmas comes with light.
More than anything, though, I love the fact that Christ came in simplicity to remove the darkness and to shine his light. That’s what Christmas is about. That’s why Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” That’s why Paul said Christians shine like stars.
The prophet Isaiah (9:2) writes the best words about Christmas: “The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.” Christmas comes with light.
Christmas comes with Light. This Christmas, may it be merry for you! May you shine like a star!
John Duncan is pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury, Texas, and the writer of numerous articles in various journals and magazines
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