Keep the Lights Burning!

       When I was growing up in Texas, I remember December 26th not as a day for shopping all of the after Christmas sales but as a sad day for Christmas trees.  On that morning, the curbs were littered with Christmas trees taken out and left for garbage pick-up.  Many of them still bore their strands of tinsel or fake snow flocking and occasionally you could see stray ornaments still clinging to their branches.  Not only was Christmas over but it was kicked out to the curb.
       No wonder I was the envy of my friends; Lutherans (and all churches that follow the liturgical church calendar) celebrate twelve days of Christmas and so it was still Christmas at my house.  The tree was still lighted and there were still cookies and treats and Christmas music.  I was glad for the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" because it gave proof to my argument for why we still had our tree up and decorated.
       Perhaps living in the dark winter of the Arctic night explains why the Scandinavians have held on fast to the tradition of keeping the twelve days and celebrating Epiphany.  That allows for having the Christmas lights shine brightly through the darkest and often coldest part of the year.  Also a celebration of light, Epiphany is the day when the church calendar marks the visit of the magi.  They followed the bright star in the sky until it led them to Bethlehem and the Christ child.  The gospel story contrasts the darkness of the night and of Herod's evil intent and actions with the light that guides them to God's gift of grace.
       Welcoming the light in the midst of darkness is not just a winter theme but it is also a symbol of safety from the dangers found in dark places and of the light of truth and love overcoming hatred and evil.  Where we struggle to find our way in the dark, stubbing our toes, and fighting fears, God breaks in with love, truth, and grace.  John says of the coming of the Christ: "in him was life and the life was the light of all people.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." (John 1:4-5)
       Take time these last days of Christmas to mark the true gift of Christmas, the Word made flesh, some to earth and living among us.  For Jesus has not left us:  "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them". (Matthew 18:20)  These are not a formula of how to conjure up Jesus but they are words of promise and of instruction for those who follow Jesus.  When Christians gather together, we are the body of Christ and we need to live that out in word and deed.  That the world does not always see Christ in the actions of the Church is proof of our weakness and need of repentance.

        The light of Christ shines in the darkness when we show God's love to those in need around us.  Everyone we meet needs the giving of that love and grace and it happens (or not) through each of us.  You can't give enough of it away - God is an abundant and reckless giver, heaping grace upon grace.  The weeks after Epiphany and before Lent call us to shine the light of Christ into the world through our words, our actions, and our lives.  Read John 1:14-18