On Christmas Eve, I read an article that really resonated with me: "The Dark Side of the First Christmas" by Robert Arakaki.
Arakaki began by describing the elements many associate with Christmas: the scent of pine, happy songs, children excited with anticipation, Christmas shopping, eggnog, candy canes, twinkling lights, etc.
There's nothing wrong with these elements, although some people do feel out of step if they aren't "feeling it."
But maybe the people feeling "less merry and bright" have more in common with the nativity than those full of Christmas cheer.
Arakaki elaborates on the each of these: Joseph's doubt, Mary's illegitimate pregnancy and its potential scandal, Jesus being born into occupation territory and having no rights as a Roman citizen, his political refugee status (flight into Egypt), Herod's paranoia, the slain children,
Jesus is born into a dark world bringing a promise of resurrection. So maybe the ultimate Christmas message is this:
Arakaki began by describing the elements many associate with Christmas: the scent of pine, happy songs, children excited with anticipation, Christmas shopping, eggnog, candy canes, twinkling lights, etc.
There's nothing wrong with these elements, although some people do feel out of step if they aren't "feeling it."
But maybe the people feeling "less merry and bright" have more in common with the nativity than those full of Christmas cheer.
Arakaki elaborates on the each of these: Joseph's doubt, Mary's illegitimate pregnancy and its potential scandal, Jesus being born into occupation territory and having no rights as a Roman citizen, his political refugee status (flight into Egypt), Herod's paranoia, the slain children,
Jesus is born into a dark world bringing a promise of resurrection. So maybe the ultimate Christmas message is this:
"So evil murderous rulers, political refugees, grieving
mothers, brave fathers are all part of the Christmas story. They represent the dark side of Christmas
often overlooked. Let us remember that
our suffering and the sufferings of the world are among those “light
affliction” which God even now might be working for great and unimagined
Glory."
Arakaki's article
reminded me that we don't pack Christmas away with the tinsel and lights; we
use them as props to welcome the True Light into our hearts and then carry Him
with us into a weary world.
Read the full article here: http://blogs.ancientfaith.com/orthodoxbridge/the-dark-side-of-christmas/#comment-28498
Christ is Born! Let us Glorify Him!
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