WHAT is the real meaning of Christmas? In this last week of advent, let’s look to the light in these dark physical and spiritual days.

No-one can say that in these days where so much is going up in price, that it’s the best of times. What with the evil war in Ukraine, where a neighbouring country can just try to wipe out its neighbour, just because it doesn’t agree with their way of living, seems to me more than just hate, but some inner darkness of the spirit. 

Just over 2,000 years ago, a real historic baby was born in the town of Bethlehem, he was named Jesus, which means – one who will saves. And this was not just for Israel when it says, ‘will save His people,’ for His people are all who will follow him. Jesus burst into a very dark world at a planned time in history. 

The Roman empire had conquered most of the known world including this area of the middle east. Roman takeovers were just as bloody as any modern day wars, and if you resisted you were killed on a cross. Barbaric, yes! Missiles dropping on innocent citizens, barbaric, yes! 

If this is not darkness in the human soul, then I can think of nothing else that fits the bill!

The contrast is when Jesus was born, the darkness was lifted for the time He was here. His arrive was heralded by a bright star shinning for a few weeks over the night sky and was probably seen in daylight as well. We now assume it was a star in our quadrant of the galaxy at the end of its life going supernova. 

It was seen by wise astrologers (old name for astronomers and wise village elders) in another country who came to see what this extraordinary event would all mean for them and mankind. 

When Jesus got to 30 years old, He started to teach what being in the light really meant. He even said about Himself, ‘that He was the light of the world.’ (Bible; John 14 v 5 -6) 

He also said that anyone who followed Him, would be in the same light as Him. 

Basically, this darkness that hangs over humanity like an old damp smelly cloth, is not the darkness or lack of physical photons (light) but a spiritual darkness of not knowing the truth about who and why Jesus came to such a dark world. And most importantly, our response to come to the light – who is Jesus Himself.

The records from more than one culture say, that as Jesus died, the whole land was plunged into darkness again in the middle of the day for three hours. This was no eclipse of the Sun, but the black spiritual darkness without God’s light in the world. 

It seems it’s a waste of time waiting for the world to be perfect; that’s never going to happen. 

But we can all personally walk in God’s light with Jesus at our side and walk in the light of His light, so that we see what’s hidden in the darkness, least we trip over it ourselves. 

May that light of revelation shine on us all this Christmas as we seek the light.