The readings and the prayers that we are using today are the ones that are appointed for Christmas Day. There were other choices - none of which are particularly popular options. Today - December 26th - is actually St. Stephen's Day. The readings for St. Stephen's Day recall the death of Stephen - the first martyr of the Christian faith - and the death of so many prophets and righteous people before him. This day was purposely placed right after Christmas on the church calendar.

On the other hand, we could use the readings for the first Sunday after Christmas. These readings focus this year on the holy family's escape to Egypt while all of the babies in Bethlehem are murdered by King Herod. They also remind us of how Jesus would be made perfect through his sufferings (Heb. 2:10).

Now, I mentioned that it is on purpose that some of these things are highlighted on the church calendar so soon after Christmas. In a way, it is almost like a reality check. The gospel of John proclaims that "the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it" (Jn. 1:5). Jesus has come as the light of the world, and yet the darkness is still here. The darkness of this world has not disappeared. However, now the light of Christ shines in the midst of it. In fact, throughout the Scriptures we find one example after another that show us that this is so.

Joseph and Mary - who have the Light of the World right with them in their son, Jesus - do not lead carefree and stress free lives after Jesus and the Holy Spirit come into their lives. In the gospel of Matthew, it is shortly after the magi have come to visit that Jesus' life is in danger. After an angel warns Joseph in a dream, he takes Mary and the young Jesus to Egypt, and they stay there until the death of Herod. It is only after this time as refugees that they are able to return to Israel and make their home in Nazareth (Mt. 2:13-23).

In the gospel of Luke, as well, some ominous words are spoken soon after Jesus' birth when he is presented in the temple at Jerusalem. At the temple, Mary and Joseph meet a holy man named Simeon, who has been promised that he will see the Messiah before he dies. Simeon takes the infant Jesus in his arms and praises God and blesses Joseph and Mary. However, then he says to Mary:

What ominous words for a mother to hear. Things would not be easy for Mary and Joseph, either. Yet, "the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it" (Jn. 1:5).

In fact, in Stephen's case, his face literally shone like the face of an angel while the people were surrounding him in anger and stoning him to death (Acts 6:15). Even though he lost his life, he had the light of Christ within him while living in the midst of the darkness. Mary and Joseph, too, lived by faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit, experiencing the light of Christ even in the midst of sorrow.

You know, I have this suspicion that many people believe that God should have done things differently. God should have sent a different kind of saviour - one who would rescue us from all trials and suffering and loss. In fact, God could have done this. God could have simply removed all of the sinners from the world. (Oh - wait - that would be all of us!) Well, maybe God could simply make it so that nothing bad would happen - but that would mean controlling people so that they would only do what is right. Well, maybe God could just step in and stop it the instant that something bad is going to happen to us - but wouldn't that mean no more freedom to choose? - Human beings as puppets on a string? - No more laws of nature?

No - instead God sent a Saviour who would freely give himself for our salvation. He would give himself in love in the hopes that God's human creation would love in return. He would take on human flesh and "tent" among us for a while, sharing in the sufferings of life as well as in its joys. He would be the light shining in the darkness, in the hopes that people would come to the light.

We do not have a God who delights in forced obedience. God created human beings in his own image so that we would have a mind and a will and a heart. It is God who always has and always will initiate a relationship with us and who has come down to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Our God delights in those who turn to him and who allow the light of Christ to direct their lives. Our God delights in those who put their trust in Jesus and open their hearts to his love. Our God delights in those who pattern their lives after Jesus and live out of love for God and for the people around them. And - the more people who allow the light of Christ to shine through them, the brighter our world will become.

Martin Bell writes a story called "Barrington Bunny" in which Barrington discovers what it means to be the light in the darkness for others. Although it is a sad story in some ways, it is well worth telling, for it reveals the truth of the gospel. In the story, Barrington is the only bunny in the forest. It is winter, and it is Christmas, and he is very lonely. He asks the beavers if he can come to their Christmas party, but of course bunnies can't swim. He asks the squirrels if he can come to their Christmas party, but bunnies can't climb trees, either. He hears some field mice having a party and asks if he can join them, but by that time the wind is howling so much that they don't even hear him. Barrington is so lonely that he just sits down in the snow and cries and cries.

Eventually, Barrington notices that he is not alone. There is a great silver wolf watching him. The wolf is large and strong and his eyes flash fire. The wolf just sits there for a while with Barrington, then finally asks him why he's sitting there in the snow. Barrington tells him that it's Christmas Eve, and he doesn't have any family, and bunnies aren't any good to anyone.

When Barrington still protests that he is all alone and has no family, the wolf tells him that all of the animals in the forest are his family. And then the wolf is gone.

Barrington thinks over what the wolf has said, and then he gets to work. He finds a nice stick for the beaver family and leaves it for them with a note attached. The note tells them that it is a free gift with no strings attached from a member of their family. Then he finds some grass and leaves to make the squirrels nest warmer. He bundles them up and leaves them at the bottom of the oak tree with a note telling them that this, too, is a free gift from a member of their family. By this time, there is a blizzard beginning and Barrington starts to head for home. All the time he's thinking that it's good that he can hop because the snow is so deep.

On the way home, Barrington hears some squeaking and finds a baby field mouse, lost in the snow. The tiny mouse is crying and is very, very cold. Barrington reassures him that he won't freeze because bunnies are very furry and warm. Barrington lays on top of the tiny mouse and hugs him tight, and eventually the mouse warms up and falls asleep.

Barrington stays there all night. When morning comes, the field mice can't contain their excitement when they find their baby boy safe and sound, asleep in the snow under Barrington's frozen body. The story ends with the great silver wolf standing there by Barrington's body, watching over him, all Christmas day. And then the wolf disappears into the forest.

Sometimes, passing the light on to others can be a very costly thing. Yet, the light continues to shine in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Not even death can overcome the light of Christ. May we, too, find the light of Christ shining in our darkness, and, once found, pass on the gift to others. Amen.

The Nativity of Our Lord - Christmas Day John 1:1-14 December 26, 2004 St. Luke's Zion Lutheran Church Pastor Lynne Hutchison Moore

? 2004 Lynn Hutchison Moore All Rights Reserved