“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” Isaiah 9:2 ESV
Reflection: has keeping Christmas traditions superseded the worship of the true light?
One of the universal symbols reflecting the Christmas holiday season is light. Perhaps the favorite decoration symbol of all, in addition to the Christmas tree perhaps. Lights are everywhere – on buildings and streets, outside and inside of houses, on trees and even on cars and people. And the lights are also in colors, although white, red and green, seem to somehow dominate lights and decorations. We also see some lights flashing, or twinkling, as to almost represent the twinkling of stars. It is a beautiful sight to see, even magical, some might say, when cities, neighborhoods and homes are decorated for Christmas.
But why all the lights?
John wrote about Jesus coming into the world, “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.” John 1:9-10 ESV. Jesus, being the whole reason why we celebrate Christmas, right? Did you notice something very interesting about Jesus coming, that “He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.” John 1:10 ESV. Remember, He came to “His own”, meaning His own people, who knew the scripture and prophecies about His coming very well. How could they not “know” Him? The word for “know” Him here means to have close, or intimate relationship with Him. So, while they might have suspected that Jesus was the Messiah, they had no relationship with Him. They had no authentic relationship with God, as they “dwelt in a land of deep darkness“, according to Isaiah.
But notice how Isaiah started out the prophecy, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;” Isaiah 9:2a. John wrote leading up to this “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:4-5 ESV. We learn here that Jesus Christ is the “true light” who gives life. Or said in another way, there is life in His light. So why all the fascination with light? We have to understand that, in all truths there are counterfeits. Paul made this point pretty clear to the Corinthians, “And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” 2 Corinthians 11:12-15 ESV
If Satan can appear as “an angel of light”, we certainly must be on the lookout, on guard for being fooled. That, even for a holiday like Christmas which most of us value and enjoy, we have symbols and rituals that are rooted in paganism. That our true worship is in spirit and truth, as Jesus reminded us of “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”” John 4:23-24 ESV.
So perhaps this Christmas, let’s make sure this is not a celebration of traditions. Not even the Christmas “spirit” of good cheer. But it is an opportunity of giving glory to the only true God; the true light of life, the joy to the world. Because Jesus Christ came into this world, to give us life. Jesus Christ must be the only reason why we celebrate Christmas.