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December 21, 2006

It is the morning of the winter solstice.  When the ancients of our faith were trying to define an appropriate time for the Feast of the Incarnation, that is the birth of Jesus (what we now call Christmas), they zeroed in on the shortest day of the year.

At that period in history scholarship was not was it is today.  They did not have the practice or resources of historical criticism to determine the actual birth date (subsequent astronomical research and historical collaboration seems to suggest the actual birth was in early September in the year 2 B.C.).  So they sought a time based on theology.  What time of year would be most reflective of the emergence of salvation's light amidst the darkness of a frightened world?

They landed on the Winter Solstice.  It is the shortest day of the year, the day when the world is the darkest, a world into which the growing light of the new solar cycle would remind us of the growing light of Christ in our lives.  It was also helpful that pagan (earth-worshipers) had their licentious fire-dancing festivities at the same time.  It was a good opportunity to offer a transformation of paganism into Christ-centered glory.  For the most part it worked.

Unfortunately today, it seems the pagan-secular values have returned in prominence and arrested the Christ-centered celebration.  Santa is a jolly sale's associate for every retail establishment instead of -the patron saint of children, for instance.  Gift-giving has become an obligation instead of an unsolicited act of selflessness.

From all of this, what I want to say is have Merry CHRISTmas, and above all else, let the light of the incarnate Savior be illuminated in your heart.

Pastor John Mark                    

Updated: 09/29/08