Lightshine
By Rev. Richard A. Moyer
Pastor, Community United Church
Last night, I drove home in the first significant snow storm of the season. The wind was blowing across the country roads and the visibility was almost zero. It would have been a laborious drive on a dreary evening had it not been for the houses aglow with Christmas lights. The colored lights reflected off the newly fallen snow.
Candles in windows created the feeling of warmth. A lighted start on a chimney reminded me of the Gospel account of a shining star over Bethlehem.
Christmas is about light.
Here in Erie, as winter settles in, the skies turn gray and dark clouds hover over the lake. It is a sure and certain indication that out winters can be long and dismal. Those of us who have lived here for many years have learned to adjust to the onslaught of winter at the lake. We know how to dress in layers and curl up by the fireplace with a book reserved just for the day when the weather will keep us inside. And we appreciate the Christmas-decorated houses that bring warmth and color to the beginning of winter-sorry to see them come down as the days of winter drag on until the first hint of spring.
It is no accident that Christmas is about light.
The Christian church has utilized the symbol of light for centuries.
On each Sunday of the four Sundays of Advent, a candle is lit in anticipation of the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service when the entire sanctuary is filled with candles. Lighted Christmas trees, originally used as a Christian symbol of everlasting light, adorn homes, churches, department stores, town squares, and city parks. Electronic decorations line the main streets of most American cities and towns, displaying colorful ornaments.
With so much light around us, you’d think we’d get the message that Christmas is all about faith, hope, and love. Yet, even at Christmas, there is hatred, violence, prejudice, discrimination, and injustice - often evident among those who claim to understand the real meaning of Christmas!
According to Christian tradition, the first Christmas brought light into the world. The child who was born was called “prince of peace”.
It was said of him that “he was a light to lighten the people.” He was called “the light of the world” by those who followed him.
I am well aware that not everyone who reads this article is a Christian; and it is certain that even among Christians, there are different interpretations of this yearly event. But most everyone is affected by Christmas in some way, even if it is just the nuisance of the traffic jams at the mall.
I do think, though, that the world would be a better place if we could capture again the true meaning of Christmas: “that light shines in the darkness.” Perhaps all the Christmas lights that make the beginning of winter so bright and beautiful should challenge us to let our light shine with faith, hope and love, remembering that even one candle can light up an entire room.
The Community United Church is an open and affirming congregation and is is a member of United Church of Christ and Church of the Brethren denomination. . It is located at 1011 W 38th St. in Erie. Services are Sunday at 11am. (814) 864-4429. The pastor is Richard A. Moyer and his assistant is Dr. Richard McCarty. Web site is http://www.uccwebsites.net/commuceriepa.html
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Erie Gay News
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Co-editors Michael Mahler and Deb Spilko