“The True light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world”
As we celebrate Christmas this year, and we light candles and bulbs, halls and streets, houses and churches, one question should be asked:
“Do we observe the world is full of darkness or of light?”
John the Evangelist was speaking about contrasts between darkness and light, and in doing so declares that John the Baptist was a witness to the light, and “the true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.” (John 1:9) John the Evangelist was clearly saying that the Babe in the manger was the Light Himself, coming into the darkness of this world. He was also clearly saying that this world needs only one light, and that light is Jesus Christ.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in a time when darkness and hopelessness were prevailing. But God did not allow darkness to prevail, nor sin to gain, nor hatred to continue. Instead, God our Creator sent Jesus to be born in a tiny village, and laid in a humble manger, in order to show the world that the illuminating light of God’s love always shines from unexpected places. This is the reason that the angels of Beit Sahour sang: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors” (Luke 2:14).
As I view the world today, I am afraid that I see more darkness than I see light. In Jerusalem, we are often praying:
“Lord, when will we see your light in our country? When will you, the Babe born in Bethlehem, come to be born among us again?”
Our Christmases will never be fully joyous until the light of peace based on justice shines in this land and in every land. At Christmastime, we see a glimpse of that promise, but until peace and justice, love and light fill every tired heart and every weary community, and in every yearning nation, we are still people walking in darkness. O come, o come Emmanuel, for you are the true light which enlightens the whole world. Enlighten us with your love and mercy.
I’ve traveled around the world and have met many people in many nations. And sometimes now I ask myself: Why do humans, with all their technologies and all their knowledge, still seem to love the darkness more than the light? This year especially, I feel we need to be honest with ourselves and with our world leaders. We need to consider why it is that hatred is more attractive to us at times than love. We need to consider why people choose xenophobia over acceptance of difference. Anti-Semitism is growing. Islamophobia is spreading. Christian persecution is prevalent in more and more nations. Anger, revenge, and war form the backdrop of our lives. Why?
Maybe my answer is that people are still walking in darkness and have not yet experienced the Light of love and liberation. I believe the Babe in the manger calls out from the deep silence of the night, not only to Christians but to people of every faith, urging us to find common values. I believe religious leaders especially are called to this holy work, because we must do something urgently to combat the powers and principalities threatening our humanity and creation today. For this reason we call on the powerful leaders of our world, instead of fighting just wars, to be vanguards for just peace. We are to tell the tycoons of arms manufacturing that the Middle East does not need more weapons, we need justice and only justice.
We must together walk toward the light and leave behind every kind of division, whether it be white supremacy, religious persecution, patriarchy, or greed for power, land, or money. If we want to walk in the light and not in the darkness, then we must teach our congregants (and especially our children) that God created human beings in love, and desires for us to live as equal partners and equal caretakers of this earth and of each other.
As Christians, we start by proclaiming loudly, already at this Christmas, that Christ was born for all, was crucified for all, and was raised for all. The Light that shines from the manger in Bethlehem falls equally on us all, with the power to enlighten every life and every corner of the world. He does not belong solely to us. This is the reason that the angels sang in the skies over Bethlehem, “Peace on earth and goodwill to all people.”
Of course, our eyes at Christmas turn toward Bethlehem and toward the land called Holy. The land of the Incarnation does not yet today know the light of peace based on justice. It is a shame for all the world that this long conflict is still far from any kind of resolution. Even international law is no more being respected. We are living in a time when the logic of power is accepted more readily than the power of logic. In such an atmosphere, and with occupation continuing and no justice on the horizon, it is very easy to become pessimistic. It is even to become bitter. No one wants to live anymore in this darkness. We are fed up with animosity, bloodshed, revenge and counter-revenge, bombings, killings, assassinations and shootings.
For this reason, I admire those in both nations and of every religion who are still committed to the cause of peace based on justice. They have never tired of seeking the Light. I respect those who know that the opportunities available when justice prevails are so much greater than the satisfaction anyone might have in clinging to power over others. Equal opportunities and equal responsibilities are so much lighter than the yoke of war, hatred and occupation.
I hear the Babe in the manger calling the leaders in this land, and all world leaders, to put aside their self-interests and to allow Palestinians and Israelis to experience the light of liberation and justice and living together. For it was this same Child who, when he was teaching and healing during his ministry, said, “I have come that all may have life, and life abundantly” (John 10:10). And what is life abundant? It is life with dignity. Only when Israelis and Palestinians together experience this God-given dignity can we Christians truly celebrate Christmas! Only then can we say, along with the angels, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to all people”, especially to the people of the Middle East.
This Christmas, I ask you to intensify your prayers for this Holy Land which is still locked in an unholy conflict. Pray that the light shining from Bethlehem will enlighten the hearts and minds of everyone, including politicians and peacemakers, the powerful and the meek, our friends and our enemies, that all may hear the message of the Christ-Child:
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” atthew 5:16).
Merry Christmas! Kul sane wa intou salam! And a Blessed New Year 2020
+ M. Younan