Tuesday, December 25, 2001

Read: Matthew 25:31-46

Yes, today is Christmas, 2001. "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth, peace among those whom God favors!" (Luke 2:14) Merry Christmas to all of you! I feel blessed with the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, though some long for it's commercialism to end, not because I want to overemphasize all the elements of popular culture during this season, but because I do like the timing that Christ should come when we are going through a very difficult and dark period of the seasons - the cold winter. Some may enjoy winter sports, yet there are many, many others who struggle to survive through this season of bitter cold.

Under the snow-covered soil, lie the hidden seeds of life, waiting the coming spring, yet still shivering in the cold temperatures that threaten the hope of new life with it's freezing power. There is no attractive scene to turn our eyes to, except the frozen, barren land and the solemn trees having their dry branches stretched towards the overcast sky as if they are pleading for power from above. Gloom and chill are the words of the season. But, lo and behold, a new life has come into this darkness, shattering away the power of environmental death, sending a signal to our horror-ridden hearts that the Light is shining upon us. Yes, it is indeed the time for a big celebration. Just stay alive, and the time will come when the Light can be seen again!

But, why is it the Light of the world? We have waited for so long, until today, with our endless longings that were announced to have ended some 1,300 years ago by the prophet Isaiah. "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in land of deep darkness on them light has shined." (Isaiah 9:2) Why was it so dark? I want neither to romanticize the peril of poverty by virtue of spiritualizing the poor in spirit, nor to disregard the reality of sins in the world. However, I do think that Christmas should be a more important day to the poor, not just in spirit, but also in body. How can it be so? I expect that many would be able to stand under the shadow of the manger and begin to see from the perspective of the down and out, and not of superiority and celebrity, because they are illumined by the soft light that reflects on the face of the Infant Jesus with its message - "Shalom!"

Sungsoo Hans Hahn

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