Mysteries and Wonders in the Season of Light

My neighborhood is full of Christmas lights this year, more than ever, and that seems to me to be a very hopeful sign.  As the light displays grow larger, more tasteful or tawdry depending on the whims of the owners, my neighbors seem to be rising in collective protest against the darkness that keeps threatening to overwhelm us.

These are downright ugly times in our city, nation and world.  Our city is suffering the worst crime rate in years.  Our nation — well, let’s just say that those of us who believe in Democracy had better get a lot of rest in the next week because we cannot afford to sleep a wink until the 2024 election is over next November and in favor of sustaining our way of life.  Meanwhile, the utter devastation of Gaza and cities in Ukraine, the horrific loss of life and suffering of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians compels us to pay attention even though we might prefer to look away.  And, lest we forget, the ongoing lack of a White Christmas is a painful signal of the climate crisis of our planet.

Amid so much turmoil, suffering, political chaos and murderous retribution, the neighbors string bright and colorful lights, blow up huge balloons of Santa or Sponge Bob or Minions or Angels or whomever the kids adore today.  The festive holiday markets and craft fairs continue, and the churches are bright with candles and choirs singing Gloria in Excelsis Deo.

The mystery and wonder of Christmas can be found in the simple truth that the story of a child born in a manger sustains us, lifts us up and never fails to give us hope, no matter how dark the days before and beyond Christmas Day.  Repeated across the centuries, observed in many different languages and with myriad different customs both religious and secular, the Christmas story pierces the darkness of each age with its wondrously powerful light of belief, resilience, courage and redemption.

Let’s welcome the light and defy the darkness.  Let’s use this 2023 Christmas moment to reaffirm our belief in the essential dignity and goodness of our fellow inhabitants of this small global village.  Let’s honor the mystery and wonder of the Christmas story by refusing to give in to the cynicism, mindless contentiousness and downright hatefulness that are damaging the social fabric of our country.  Around those holiday tables, let’s listen rather than argue, support rather than reject, or when the other person is too far off on the edge of reason, let’s walk out there to bring them back to safety without recrimination or accusation.  We each have one candle — let’s join our candle power together to defy the darkness, to illuminate the pathway to a more peaceful future for this society.

(From the display of Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park, 2022)