Donna G. Joy

Isaiah 52:7-10; Hebrews 1:1-4; John 1:1-14

Imagine, for a moment, the world into which Jesus was born. An oppressive society, defined by one N.T. scholar as a ‘seething cauldron’ with an atmosphere of upheaval and social discontent. A society in which the poor were heavily taxed by rulers who may have demanded as much as 50% to 60% of what they grew and owned. These taxes were used, not to offer assistance to those in need, but to increase the wealth of the rulers themselves. It is because of this unjust system that Joseph is taking Mary, just when she is about to give birth, back to Bethlehem.

Because of this oppressive power, there existed a confrontational relationship between Galilean farmers, fishermen, and the townspeople, and the urban aristocracy, who held all the wealth and power. It is clear that Herod, the ruler of Judea, was brutal; that Jesus was born into essentially a third-world context under a military dictatorship; a society where everyone was coerced. So, while the rich prospered, the poor suffered, and their hatred for Herod and the Romans grew.

Of course, the whole concept of civil rights was non-existent; Herod was free to eliminate anyone at any time. Another painful reality was gender separation; it was a male dominated world where the place of women in society was far below that of men. Indeed, it was a dark and depressing time.

Into this ‘seething cauldron’ the glorious, radiant light of God shines through the birth of a child; God’s own son. The author of the letter to the Hebrews describes this light as the ‘radiance of the glory of God; the exact imprint of his nature, as he upholds the universe by the word of his power.’ His power, not the power of any power mongering leader (political or otherwise). Jesus, the Word, who was active in the creation of the world, has now come. Jesus, whose creative forces have always been at work, is now appearing in a new way; the incarnation – the embodiment – of God. In the midst of such darkness, Jesus has come, embodying light, peace, hope.

Again, both our Gospel reading this evening and the epistle make the point that Jesus was with God at the beginning of creation. It was Jesus who was God’s agent in creating the universe. Now, with his birth, he becomes the great climax in the unfolding of God’s plan, as he enters into this creation in a new way. The birth of this child, this gift of light, is the beginning of a new chapter. As this child grows, he will show us what God is like. He will reveal the very nature of God. And Jesus, God’s agent in creating the universe, remains active today.

So, like a flashlight shedding light onto a path in the darkness of night, this child born in the lowest of places in the darkest of times, shines a radiant light of promise; a promise that God is present and God is active, particularly in the midst of challenging times. That child was to grow, and engage in a vibrant ministry in which the unconditional, all-inclusive love and grace of God was made visible for all to see, and feel, and taste, and touch. That child was to challenge the powers of his day; he was to carry with him all the sinfulness of humanity to the cross where he died a torturous death; and he was to rise to new life, so that all the evil and power mongering behavior that is rampant within the human condition will never be more powerful than the great light that has come into the world with the birth we celebrate tonight.

So, here we are. While in this part of the world we may not live in quite such times as the world into which Jesus was born, we know all too well the burdens of our time. The very creation that Jesus the Word helped to create is in crisis. But just as Jesus was God’s agent in the creation of the world, Jesus remains active, particularly in the midst of such emergencies as the climate crisis we find ourselves in. During the year 2019 a radiant light has shone into this crisis, offering wisdom, challenging authorities, standing up to those authorities in the face of petty ridicule. This radiant light is seen through such faces and courage as Greta Thunberg, and 15-year old Autumn Peltier, a clean water activist from a First Nation in Northern Ontario.

Here in Canada, we continue to live, and come to terms with, the ravages of Colonialism. During the year 2019, a radiant light has shone into this darkened reality through our Diocese not only continuing to offer, but insisting that all paid employees of the church take, a course on Indigenous studies, an opportunity to discover and understand more clearly this terrible piece of our history. True and lasting change comes with education. A glimpse of this radiant light was also seen with the publication of the Report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous women and girls. There is so much more work yet to be done, but the good news is that progress such as this helps us recognize that Jesus the Word remains active in the ongoing story of creation.

Throughout the whole of North America the rights of women have been diminishing since the progress made in the 1990’s. A glimpse of this radiant light can be seen through the ongoing work of people such as Margaret Atwood, who sound the bells of alarm, and offer strength to those who continue to challenge the oppression of patriarchy. A glimpse of this radiant light can be seen through the courageous work of those who dare to work from within the system to change policies and laws.

These examples offer a brief taste of ways in which Jesus the Word, the One whose light shines in the darkness, is still active in the unfolding of God’s plan.

Finally, as we gather here tonight to celebrate this birth that shines light into the darkness, we are reminded that those of us who accept the gift of Jesus, his birth, life, death and resurrection have a responsibility to be intentional channels through which that light may continue to shine. We do this by living as Christ lived, by embodying Christ at this moment in time.

Each time we forgive, love unconditionally, support the local farmer and merchant, or equally faithfully support fair trade organizations such as 10,000 Villages; each time we visit those who are lonely, support community ministries such as St. Matthew’s Maryland; each time we are intentional about the impact of our actions on others and the environment which is required to sustain all living things; each time we live as Christ lived, we become channels through which the light of this birth shines into the darkness of this world in which we live.

As Christians, we live in hope; hope of a time when Christ will return, and the glimpse of perfection experienced with His birth will be full and complete. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Paleontologist and Jesuit Priest, spoke of this time as Cosmic Communion: that time, all in the fullness of time, when Christ will be all in all. As Christians we believe this time will come. In the meantime, Christ – that radiant light that has come into the world – calls on us to let that light shine. We are called to search for and identify those people and places where the Light is currently, each and every day, breaking into this world; we ourselves are called to be agents through which this Light may also intentionally shine; and we live in hope of a time when all will be well, all in the fullness of time.

Henry Nouwen, in his diary of his experience at Genesee Abbey, writes of the crèche scene under the altar. The crèche consisted of three small, featureless, wooden figures representing the holy family. Although smaller than a human hand, a bright light shining upon them projected their large shadows upon the wall of the sanctuary. “Without the radiant beam of light shining into the darkness there is little to be seen. I might just pass by these three simple people and continue to walk in darkness. But everything changes with the light.”

I wish each and every one of you a Christmas that is filled with love, hope, peace and joy, and as we may be blessed with such gifts, may we share the blessing of this radiant light with others.