A Christmas Message of Light

“Strings of streetlights, even stop lights, blink a bright red, and green” goes the song…

It always, always amazes me that no matter how hard life can become, at this time of year we see strings and strings of streetlights and houselights. They never fail to bring me delight and joy, and they give me pause at the message they convey. In late fall-early winter, whether it be Diwali, Chanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice or Christmas, the major holidays of each of these represented religions center around a theme of light overcoming darkness.

As humans, we long for the light to overcome the darkness even though the darkness teaches us insightful lessons. As Christians, we raise our voices in another song: “Christ be our light, shine in our hearts, shine in the darkness….” It is the reminder of that Light that is our gift on Christmas.

The Gospel of John 1:1-9 proclaims to us:

In the beginning was the Word: the Word was with God and the Word  was God.

He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things came into being, not one thing came into being except through him.

What has come into being in him was life, life that was the light of all peoples;

and light shines in darkness, and darkness could not overpower it.

A man came, sent by God. His name was John.

He came as a witness, to bear witness to the light, so that everyone might believe

through him.

He was not the light, he was to bear witness to the light.

The Word was the real light that gives light to everyone; he was coming into the world.

We continue to be grateful for each of you and for your support of the ministry and mission of the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart. You are light bearers to us and help us spread God’s Light and Love to those we serve. We wish you, your families, and your communities a very happy Christmas. We pray that you continue to be blest by the Light of Christ and share that Light of Christ with all those you encounter. We hold you and yours in our hearts and daily prayers.

So go, enjoy the lights of this Christmas season and may they remind you of the Light of Christ that is God’s gift of God’s very self!