The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
- John 1:9
I love Christmas Eve. I always have.
At one time it was the anticipation of sleigh bells, red noses in the night sky and clandestine visits that left the remnants of strategically placed cookies. Later, Christmas Eve became about stressed late night assembly and construction projects, and overeating (or careful disposal of) said cookies.
Christmas Eve has taken on a more reflective tone in later years. Perhaps more on that later... all this really has little to do with the thought precipitating this quick post.
What about Christmas Eve Eve.... The day before the day before Christmas?
Thinking back a score of millennia, the day before the day before Christmas wasn't so festive. It was a stressful day of dusty journey for a pregnant couple. (We men like to say it that way, but we really do know differently!) It lead to a night of little and restless sleep, either along the side of the road - with another travel day ahead - or in a cave housing smelly, flatulating animals.
The day before the day before Christmas was difficult. It was a day with not much hope. It was a day that seemed darkness and dankness would be the forever norms.
The difficulties of life-journey can bring a heavy fog to hope and expectation. Especially on the day before the day before Christmas.
But light is coming. He is coming.
Wise men are mobilizing in the East. Stars are about to burst through the velvet of night where stars have never burst before. Angel choirs are putting the last touches on heavenly choruses and shining up halos for a shepherd audience.
It is dark on the day before the day before Christmas. But light is coming. He is coming.
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world...
In him is life, and life is the light of men. The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness cannot overcome it.
- John 1:9,4-5
Light of the world, shine on me this day before the day before.
For now...
D
