Theologian's Corner

- by Thomas Rydzewski

More Than A Season; A Promise We Are Commanded to Fulfill

As we all know, from June to December the amount of daylight hours begin to shorten ever so gradually each day. By the winter solstice (about December 21st), however, we are able to observe more hours of darkness than light. It is the darkest, coldest time of the year. People who suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) find it difficult to cope with so few hours of light. Some take anti-depressants and use sun-lamps to make up for the loss of light and warmth.

For Scandinavians the feast was the Yule (or juul) wherein the burning of logs helped remind people of the return of the sun during the darkness, cold and bleakness of winter. The Romans called their feast Saturnalia. They acknowledged and celebrated the winter solstice as a festival by closing schools, laying down arms, and ignoring the distinctions between classes as they shared meals together. They brought evergreens inside their homes to remind them of the continuity of life even as all around them seemed lifeless and cold. The Druids as well recognized that evergreens testified to life and renewal even as snow, cold and darkness ruled the season. It is believed that Christmas was celebrated at this particular point in the year not because it is necessarily the actual anniversary of the birth of Jesus, but because it is meant to take the place of these pagan feasts. It does so by adopting many of the rituals, traditions and customs that were practiced by various peoples throughout time. However, the difference with Christmas is that it speaks not only of the return of the sun and of life and warmth...but it speaks of salvation and eternal life.

What better way to celebrate the incarnation of God, "The Light of the World," (John 9:5) than to mark the celebration by the return of the sun's light to the world? The winter solstice marks the date when the days (in terms of sunlight) begin to lengthen once again. Soon after the solstice we celebrate the coming of the Light that dispels all darkness. We celebrate hope, newness of life, the birth of our redemption, the coming of God in the flesh. The prophet Isaiah speaks, "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined" (Isaiah 9:2) Light is an important symbol throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons. Even in the Letter to the Romans Paul says, "The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." (Rom 13:12). Light is a symbol of hope and redemption. It is by the light of a new star that the Magi find the Christ child (Matthew 2) and recognize him as king of all nations.

Before the birth of Jesus, Zechariah recognizes his own son, John the Baptist, as the final prophet who would testify to the coming of the Messiah, the hope of nations. Zechariah is healed of his dumbness, his inability to speak, as he recognizes and acknowledges the role of his own son in preparing the way of salvation as he speaks these words,

Blessed be the Lord, The God of Israel; He has come to His people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour, Born of the house of His servant David. Through His holy prophets He promised of old That He would save us from our enemies, From the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers And to remember His holy Covenant. This was the oath He swore to our father Abraham: To set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship Him without fear, Holy and righteous in His sight All the days of our life. You, My child shall be called The prophet of the Most High, For you will go before the Lord to prepare His way, To give his people knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our Lord The dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness And the shadow of death, And to guide our feet into the way of peace.

(Luke 1:68-79)

The seasons of Advent and Christmas are about a promise and its fulfillment as well as hope. Even as we face a recession that has been compared time and again to the Great Depression of 1929; even as we face wars in the lands of Afghanistan and Iraq; even as we face injustice and discrimination in our own society, we realize that the light is going to return. However, note this very interesting twist that Jesus gave us as he was teaching, healing and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. He told us in the Gospel of John that he was the Light of the Worldas he gave sight to a blind man. In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus also tells us,
"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
(Matthew 5:14-16)

In other words, we are to continue the mission of Jesus. We are to continue healing, giving sight, giving light and giving guidance to those in darkness. If we do not speak; if we do not testify to the truth; if we do not act as prophets (challenging the beliefs and practices of society regarding justice); if we do not bring healing then we are not being the light of the world. Our challenge for this coming year is to bring hope and light to a world that still waits in darkness.

by Thomas Rydzewski