December 21 marks the winter solstice; the shortest day of the year in terms of day light hours. It is not too severe here in Florida, but at points further north on the globe, the day is noticeably short. Growing up in Minneapolis, I remember that it felt like it was starting to get dark when we got out of school at 3 in the afternoon!
People of all times and all cultures have found ways to mark the seasons, the turning of the sun, and the cycles of the moon. Celebrations of light, the importance of light, the end of the shortening of days and the beginning of the lengthening of days, have been part of human observance for millennia. There were winter solstice festivals in ancient Rome. It is easy to see how early Christians used solstice themes to celebrate the coming of Jesus. He was seen as the light of the world. He was not only the “son” but the “sun” of life. His coming was akin to the calling forth of light in the creation story. How beautifully these themes blend with the solstice. And while everyone else was having their pagan celebration of the solstice, the Christians created a holiday for themselves: The celebration of the natal day of Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Christianity appropriated the festival of the cultural setting and gave it religious dimensions.
Today Christmas has become the most celebrated holiday in the world. It is celebrated by people who know nothing of Jesus. It is a holiday of Santa and reindeer, and Christmas trees, and lights, and presents. It has become a universal celebration at a time of year when it is needed most – in the middle of the dark, cold days of winter. As Christmas has spread, it has lost much of its religious associations. In some ways, it seems like Christmas is going back to its pre Christian roots.
It used to bother me that Christmas was becoming all about Santa with only an occasional nod to Jesus. But then I found out where Christmas came from in the first place: co-opted from the non-Christians. Now, it seems to be everybody’s holiday. And so be it. God’s love is for everyone. Christ’s light is in everyone. And we need all the “peace on earth and good will to all” that we can muster.
You have made the moon to mark the seasons;
the sun knows its time for setting.
Psalm 104:19
Prayer: In this season of darkness, we more deeply appreciate the light. In our increasingly mechanized life, may we still look for signs of divinity in the natural world. May we more deeply appreciate our place within the vast scope of the cosmos and the light that shines within us. Amen.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 