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The time for Christmas

Hope in the dark of winter
Winter-religion

My children and I were recently chatting about why Christmas is on Dec. 25. Scholars suggest that the biblical account implies that Jesus was probably born in the summer or maybe the fall, not winter. So why is Christmas celebrated in December?

The fully answer to that question would require unpacking a long history. But at the heart of things, we celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25 because it is an ideal time to celebrate the birth of Jesus - it’s the end of the winter solstice. Dec. 21 of each year is the day with the shortest amount of sun and the longest amount of darkness. Dec. 22, 23 and 24 are likewise short and dark. Dec. 25 is the day when the sun begins to rise higher in the sky again and the brightness of the day begins to grow – the light breaks through the darkness.

During these dark days we put little lights on our houses and our trees – tiny reminders of the light that has come and is coming.

In her song of praise, Mary sings:
  
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,        
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour …
His mercy is for those who fear him        
from generation to generation.

  
When Mary uses the word, “fear,” she speaks of awe, wonder and reverence – the kind of fear that you might experience gazing over the edge of a Rocky Mountain cliff or observing the powerful waves of Peggy’s Cove. We “fear” God when we discover the wonder and power of God’s graciousness. That leads to praise and to joy.

We are living in dark days. There are struggles. There are pains. There are worries. But there is also promise. There is also hope. The light is getting ready to bust through the darkness. May you be filled with awe and wonder during this Advent and Christmas season. May your light shine in the darkness – a reflection of the light that breaks through.



Rev. Ken MacQuarrie

About the Author: Rev. Ken MacQuarrie

Rev. Ken MacQuarrie is the minister of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 24 Clairmont Street
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