“The people who live in darkness will see a great light. On those who live in the dark land of death the light will shine.” (Matthew 4:16, GNT).

     “I’m not feeling the Christmas spirit this year.” These words were echoed by my wife following a visit to her father who presently resides in a skilled nursing unit. The past year has been difficult for the people we love. The grandson of our dearest friends currently is battling a disease that refuses to respond to treatment. Two of our congregation’s most beloved parishioners have relocated their addresses to be with that company of saints in heaven.

     Christmas is not immune to difficult seasons of life. The cherished tune, White Christmas, was written just weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Bing Crosby’s soulful rendition of the time-honored carol reflected a deep sadness that stretched from the shores of America to the battlefields of Europe and the Far East. Darkness had enveloped our world, if not our hearts.

     Yet perhaps we are never closer to the manger and the birth of hope than during the obscurity of our struggles. Matthew’s words in the passage above echoed during a time of great trouble for the people of Israel. Rome had cast a tyrannical pall over God’s chosen people.

     However, it was against the backdrop of this dark period of history when God, in the person of Jesus, came to our world. Those who lived in this dark land did, in fact, see a light shine. Hope had pierced the opaqueness of despair. Glory had filled the skies in the face of gloom. The Light of the World had come to overthrow the Prince of Darkness.

     I am a great believer in the old saying that it is darkest just before the dawn. This being said, Christmas is much closer than any of us realize. To be certain, the words that Bing Crosby sang underscore God’s promise to each of us: