The Nativity of Christ (7 January-- 25 December Old Style) The Light Has Come Into the World

     At last, our great feast has arrived.  The long night of the Nativity Fast is over, and we are able to draw near, with our hearts full of faith and love, to the cave of Bethlehem, where the God, Who created the heavens and the earth and everything in them, has become incarnate for our sakes.  He Who is Almighty in His Divine Nature, has become helpless in His human nature. 

     Today, the cave of Bethlehem remains ever as it was—a cave, albeit now covered with marble, with stairs cut out of the ancient rock leading down to the place of the Lord’s first manifestation in the flesh.  At the bottom of the stairs leading down into the cave, and to the right, is the chapel of the manger, in which the Most Holy Mother of God laid Christ after he was born. And there, straight ahead from the bottom of the stairway is the hallowed place of His birth.  There is an indentation in the wall (which looks very much like a hearth), but on the floor, within this indentation, is a silver star, which marks the exact place of the birth of Christ.  Within this narrow niche, innumerable oil lamps burn constantly, each of them representing one of the ancient churches of the world: Rome, Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch the Great, and Jerusalem… by their light, they testify that “the Light has come into the world.”

     Physical light is one of the oldest and dearest images of Christ.  In the Gospel of St. John, the Evangelist says in the prologue: “In Him was Light, and the Light was the Light of men, and the Light shone in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” And in the Gospel of St. Matthew, the Wise Men of the East are led to the Christ, the King of Heaven and Earth, by means of the light of a star. 

     The Church has always wholeheartedly embraced this image of her Lord, she has always used it in her worship, and she uses the Light to draw together the entire season that comprises the feasts of Christmas and Theophany. See how the dark color of the Nativity Fast has given way to a white as bright as light.  This sign is also present in the hymns and poetry of the Church, as she celebrates this holy season. 

     Light is particularly important in the Church’s evening worship. In every season throughout the year, the entrance of Great Vespers, along with the lighting of the lamps, always represents the Incarnation of our God.  Fittingly so, since we believe that Christ came in the evening of the world—He came to a world grown old through sin.  In this was His compassion so clearly manifest, that He came and renewed and restored His Creation, which had fallen into decrepitude.  The Church celebrates this compassion everyday in the Hymn of the Evening:

O Tranquil Light, Light and Holy Glory, of the Father Immortal, the Heavenly, Holy, the Blessed One—O Jesus Christ, as we come upon the sunset, as we see the evening light, we sing to God—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  At all times You are worthy of being hymned by joyful voices.  O Son of God, You are the Giver of Life. For this the whole world glorifies You.

He is called “Tranquil Light.” This same word can be translated “quiet,” “gentle” or even “joyful.” He is the Quiet and Gentle Light, because, unlike the evil that is arrayed against us in this world, He does not seek to compel or coerce us.  He created our consciences to be free, and He respects that freedom.  He wants us to love Him freely –for Himself, because He is all-lovable.  The Prophet Isaiah tells us this in poetic language: “A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not quench, until He brings forth justice upon the earth.” In this way, He shows to us the true meaning and measure of justice—He becomes the true image of power exercised rightly. Power in our fallen world compels and coerces.  True power enlightens and guides.  “He is the True Light that enlightens and sanctifies every man coming into the world.”  How could light compel or coerce us, or how could a helpless, little child?

     Our responsibility is awesome, for we must choose to love Him freely, or choose to despise Him absolutely.  If we choose to love Him, then we must resolve to be like Him, to eschew our love for power, our penchant for manipulation, and instead enlighten and guide.  He became a Gift for us.  Can we truly love Him, if we do not make ourselves a gift for Him and for others? We must neither coerce nor compel; we must enlighten and guide.

     We know well that the Mystery of Christmas draws us to the Mystery of Theophany.  On the night of Theophany, we will see a wondrous thing happen to this Quiet and Gentle Light that we today worship in the cave of Bethlehem.  We will see this Light descend into the water and sanctify it.  We will see it become one with the water, as it mingles with it.  The Light will become as water—constantly, continuously seeking the lowest place, and the water will become as Light—enlightening and sanctifying, conveying Divine Life to all that It touches. This is the form and model for us.  When we decide to love the Incarnate God, the helpless Child of Bethlehem, with all our hearts, we attain the humility of water, as we seek the lowest place, and yet we seek to enlighten and guide all those around us.