“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” The Gospel of John begins with this reminder of the light that shines in the darkness. This promise of the Messiah is a reminder that the light of truth will not be overcome by the deceitful lies of the enemy and sin. This is the radical gift and mystery of Christmas!
In every age we find ourselves in need of a Savior. The reality of darkness in our world is something we all encounter throughout our lives. As Christians, we are called to hope! We are called to prepare the way for the light that comes into the world, and desires to bring peace and joy to our world.
We pray that especially this year, Christ, the prince of peace will bring peace and light into a land stained by turmoil and loss of life. The Messiah, the promised Savior of the Jews, was born in a stable in Bethlehem due to his ancestral line coming from King David. While often forgotten, King David was a poor, Jewish shepherd boy, from Bethlehem. This region, located in Palestine, is ridden with much chaos and aggression this Christmas. This prayer, of Pope Benedict from Christmas 2011, reigns all the more true this year, “May the Lord come to the aid of our world torn by so many conflicts which even today stain the earth with blood. May the Prince of Peace grant peace and stability to that Land where he chose to come into the world, and encourage the resumption of dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians.”
May the Lord grant us all peace this Christmas as we seek to bring his light into the world. The Christ Medicus Family wishes you all a blessed and merry Christmas!
