All is Bright!

Sunday

Dec 20

All is Bright

Advent 2020

It is a strange sign of our times that, around the world, there are a number of places known as Dark Sky Parks or Preserves. These are areas set aside with strict protocols to limit artificial light. They sometimes surround observatories, but can be found in other places as well. The reason is simple: Artificial light has made it difficult to see the wonders of the night sky

We have become accustomed to the constant presence of light. Our homes are well-lit both inside and out. Turn out the lights and you probably are not in true darkness. Clock faces, power adaptors, status lights on everything, outside lights shine through curtains. Is it ever fully dark in our homes? Evening drives are illuminated by headlights, streetlights and stoplights. Brightly lit businesses beckon us while signs, billboards, and even gigantic video screens boost their brightness to compete for our attention. Do we even notice the stars at night when it is so bright?

We have grown so accustomed to this light that we may be fearful of the dark. What lurks there? We avoid being in dark places alone. We walk a little faster and keep our eyes extra peeled. But even a tiny light changes our experience and helps us to see.

Light is a powerful metaphor in Scripture. St. John says, The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5). When ordinary light comes, darkness is shattered. This is even more true with the coming of Jesus, who says, I am the light of the world (John 8:12).

For many people, candlelit singing of “Silent Night” is quintessentially Christmas Eve. We sing:

“…all is bright round yon Virgin Mother and Child.”

while our own candles spread light and warmth.

It is, of course, poetry to say that “all is bright” in the manger. In truth, it was likely quite dark. Perhaps a single oil lamp or tiny warming fire cast some light. But it was likely dark in the manger.

But even if dark to their eyes, it was truly bright, for there lay the Light of the world– adored by Mary and Joseph, worshipped by shepherds, and lauded by angels.

There in darkness the Light of God shone clearly – as he does in our darkness as well. Where Jesus is, all is bright.

#CUIAdvent

All is Bright: A Concordia Christmas

December 22-25, 2020

Learn More

Walk With Us

Sign up to receive weekly devotions from the first Sunday of Advent through Christmas Day directly to your email.
Your email address will be used for no other purposes than these Advent devotions.

Back to top