A Season of Light, Heart and Sight
It is easy to overlook the fact that Christmas is more than a day; it is a season. Even in Church circles there are differences as to when it begins and ends.
I would like to suggest that the Christmas season is marked by Light, Heart and Sight. I believe it begins with the lighting of the fourth Advent wreath candle. For us living in North America, the full light of all four candles is the strongest collaboration of illumination in a time when daylight is scarce. John the Baptist and Mary the Mother of Jesus complement this light by playing prominent roles in the anticipation of new life and growth immediately prior to Christmas day.
John is the herald of the prophecy in Isaiah that tells us, “A people in darkness have seen a great light.” Mary brings this brightest of lights into the world by giving birth to Jesus. Shepherds are commissioned to go and “see” this thing/event/child that angels proclaimed was in a stable in Bethlehem. Mary holds many touching things in her heart as shepherds and Magi come to visit her and her newborn son.
The season includes the Feast of the Holy Family, when we hear proclaimed at Mass from the third chapter of the first letter of John, “See what love the Father has bestowed on us.” Undoubtedly Mary and Joseph were greatly relieved when they saw their son in the temple with the elders. He had been separated from them for three days, a length of time that is really a premonition of the three days he would be separated from humanity in the tomb following his suffering and death.
The season also includes the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God on New Year’s eve and day. We hear from the book of Numbers the beautiful Blessing of Aaron which includes, “The Lord let His face shine on you.” And the second reading from Paul to the Galatians, “God sent the spirit of His son into our hearts.”
The Gospel from Luke tells us that when the shepherds saw Mary, Joseph and the infant lying in the manger it was then that they revealed the message the angel had given them about the child. They then returned glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.
This weekend’s celebration of Epiphany perhaps brings Light, Heart and Sight together most powerfully. The first reading from Isaiah tells us “…nations shall walk by your light…” and “…your heart shall throb and overflow..”
Magi/Wisemen/Kings are fascinated with a special star that indicates the birth of an eternal King. They assume the star is leading them to a new king in Jerusalem and they briefly get off track. After consultation and reflection they are rerouted to the humble scene in meager surroundings. The star guides them to nearby, tiny Bethlehem. This is a scene that has moved human hearts for centuries, and seeing the child moves theirs as well. Some type of powerful spiritual energy inspires them to give their treasures, undoubtedly intended for an adult, to the child who has touched their hearts.
Then, I would like to suggest, their hearts tell them NOT to return to the evil King Herod who wants to know where the child is so he can destroy him.
Tenderness is something truly rooted in the heart as well as the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord that we celebrate on January 12 this year. It is animated by the first reading from Isaiah telling us that God gives us comfort and commissions us to, “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.” This baptismal feast concludes a season of Light, Heart and Sight, much the same as it began with a Gospel passage from Luke telling us of peoples’ anticipation and wondering whether John The Baptist might be the Messiah.
John clarifies that he baptizes with water, but Jesus Christ baptizes with the with the Holy Spirit and fire.
I believe we can access the baptism of the Holy Spirit through Light, Heart and Sight every single day. I appreciate the distinction John the Baptist makes between his mission and that of Jesus. We are all physically baptized in water even before any religious ritual. We are all held in the water of our mother’s womb and indeed we experience many blessings of water throughout life. Without physical water we cannot survive.
John reminds us that we come from water but the Holy Spirit gives us the animation of spiritual fire and sends us into a realm of Light, Heart and Sight that will never end.
I hope this Christmas season and the scriptural images that animate it will deepen your appreciation for the many lights that shine in our world these days. I hope that the season helps you to see more clearly the love of God manifest in the feasts and celebrations that make this season so holy.
I also hope that by taking the time to both pray with our community and in your own personal way that your heart will be moved to the invitation that LOVE GROWS so powerfully here at Holy Family.