I will make you as a light for the nations,
that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
Isaiah 49:6
This time of year, there’s never enough light. Morning comes too late. Night comes too soon. The cloudy days are too numerous. And the rare days when the sun peeks through, the light is weak, half-hearted, a dim glimmer of its summer strength.
The lighting in the auditorium where we worshipped for so many years was winterlike, too. More than once when it was my turn to read scripture, I coveted the headlamps miners wear underground. Now and then I would close my eyes and listen to the pastor, just to ease the strain of peering through the gloom to see him.
But the darkness was most oppressive during the annual children’s Christmas program. The lack of light made it hard to see the little lambs frolicking, hiding their silly sheepishness from the shepherds watching their errant flocks. The darkness made the manger scene more realistic, but didn’t do a thing for the wise-men-following-the-star business. As for the angels, let’s just say that the idea of the glory of the Lord shining round about them required audience members with active imaginations.
However, this year’s program, held in the new multipurpose room with its warm, yellow hues, brand new lightbulbs, and windows designed to catch natural light, was a different story. The crowd on stage was visible. The sheep kicking up their heels with increasing vigor as the program progressed. The shepherds quaking at the sight of the band of angels. The donkey swaying his head in time to the carols so his ears wiggled all over his head. Joseph shocked to see winged visitor in his bedroom. Simeon hobbling forward to bless the baby in the temple. Mary amazed to hear God’s plan for her life.
And the angel. The one who told Mary she was favored by God. The one who told her Son would be the Messiah prophesied in centuries long past.
The angel stood, on a cold December morning, in a patch of bright sunlight coming through the windows high on the south wall. Her hair shone and her white gown glowed while she spoke of the child who would be the Savior of the World.
My eyes took in the sight and my heart filled with longing for the sheep and the shepherds, for the angels and wise men, for the donkey, for Mary and Joseph, for Simeon, for all the children on the stage.
Dear Jesus, when the lives of these children fill with winter’s darkness, make your word a bright patch of sunlight in their souls. Use them to bring the good news of salvation to the ends of the earth. Amen.
