In central Massachusetts the length of day between sunrise and sunset was 9 hours and 1 minute on the 19th through the 26th of December. It wasn’t just the darkest day of the year it was the darkest week. It is grand to celebrate the birth of the Light of the World during this darkest of times. The European pagans celebrated Saturnalia during this same dark time recognizing the birthday of the unconquerable sun on the 25th.
Many of my friends grow just a tad uncomfortable when this topic comes up. Somehow it seems that we are participating in paganism because of these facts. But true meaning is what happens inside our minds. God gave us incredible minds with which to choose and create. The power is ours to make something mean what we choose for it to mean. We do not have to allow others to dictate to us what meaning we bring to something. It is part of the freedom of which Paul speaks so eloquently in Galatians 5.
Since we do not know when Jesus was born it is our prerogative to usurp this dark time of the year from the pagans and claim it for our Lord, who proclaimed Himself to be the Light of the World. He is the one who created the sun the pagans worshiped. The pagans lost this battle. Jesus won. The time is His. As the days now grow longer so we should also be more and more enlightened everyday with the light of Jesus’ presence in our walk. Solomon said, “The light shines more and more on our path.” That light is Jesus. He is the King of Kings. Just as He won the victory over death He wins the victory over all the meaningless pagan Gods of the past.
Written by Roger Bothwell on Decembe 27, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org