Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath shined the light of knowledge upon the world; for thereby they that worshipped the stars were instructed by a star to worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee, the Dayspring from on high. O Lord, glory be to Thee.
Jesus Christ is the Sun of Righteousness.
This verbal icon points us from something we know and can see to Someone we can know, but presently most often cannot see: from the sun to the Son of God.
Icons have many roles, but one is as a reminder. I am looking just now at our main Christmas tree and the first ornament we bought for us when we were married. This battered couple (Ma in her kerchief and I in my cap) are just settling down for a long winter’s nap. We were younger than that ornamental couple then, now we are much older. Looking at the ornament stirs up memories, but sometimes (as now) more than memories. I am there in my mind, look forward more than backward only now I know nearly thirty-four years worth of Christmas. I am there with foreknowledge and this informs the moment, since now I know much of what will come of that first (very romantic!) Christmas. The errors I have made are so obvious to me now, the good that would come (four children, growing knowledge of what love is) known.
With much greater insight and wisdom, see her teachings to Luke. This is what the Mother of God did as she pondered the events of Christmas in her heart. She need not merely look back, but could (as all of us can at times) fully recollect the event, but now with knowledge that comes with time. Sometimes we twist or falsify our memories in this process, God help us, but better we accept all that was and understand that was in the light of what was born then.
Jesus is the great Light that illuminates the past perfectly and gives what was meaning. The Sun shines then, now, and in the future: one great Light common to the past, present, and future. This “Sun” unlike our own star is uncreated, eternal, unchanging. Our memory, even our illuminated memory, is often imperfect, but the great True Light shines with righteousness. That which is lawful, according to Moses and natural law, and that which is just is illuminated in splendor: transformed to gold. Our sins, our twists and turns, and shown as gilding at best, gilt at worst.
I love Christmas, because this Sun of Righteousness shines forth so clearly forward and illuminates now in the light of possibilities. This True Light also shines backwards enlightening us about then. If like my life your experiences are a blend of failure, sin, success, and good decisions, then this illumination is helpful. Pray God for mercy, make restitution, do better by God’s power.
The Sun brings growth with the Light. I am old, but can keep growing in my soul: doing better, loving wisely, and sharing warmth with as many as I can.
Christ is born!
Glorify Him!
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In