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The Church’s Advent yearning for the rising Sun, the Light, the Son of God, is a theme which speaks eloquently to us who dwell in the Yukon.
Here in the Northland the mid-winter is deep indeed in the dark of the December solstice. Night, though not in total command as in the Arctic region, arrogantly grasps many hours of the day.
The light spared is further dimmed by overcast sky, storms of snow, and frigid fog. This twilight grip of night wrings hues from color and ashens life’s vigour. It yields shadowed images and jail-like pallor.
The Sun seems to dally long in the South, basking in warmer climes, and is hesitant to ascend to his polar throne. Will he ever return?
But twilight does promise dawn; night does herald the day. Here, even the longest night will bear and bring forth the infant day. There comes the gift of cloudless sky.
Glimpses of the young Sun at play in his southern yard reveal a glory heightened by its brief duration. Then higher are his bright leaps into our gray firmament. What promise there is in the Sun’s ascending! Surely night’s dominion does cease.
In this dark season how fitting is the Advent liturgy that yearns for “the radiance of eternal light,” that cries, Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death (Luke 1:79) and that names the expected savior “Sun of Justice.”
How fitting is the Christmas song which proclaims, “Your Nativity, O Christ Our God, has shed the light of knowledge upon the world.”
How timeless and deep is this human longing to which the Church gives voice! How timely is day-seeking for us for whom the glad light is often constrained in the shadows of our souls, or for whom the pallid ashes of the passing year pose the question: Has the Sun of Justice really risen in our hearts?
Rise, Sun of Justice, seek out our clouded hearts. Push back the gray of chaos, pierce the grip of night, and enkindle our ashen embers. Rise, O Sun of Justice, rise!
Year-round, Jesus answers this plea. He offers himself as daybreak in our hearts, and through us to the world. I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark; he will have the light of life (John 8:12).
And he tells us: You are the light of the world … Your light must shine in the sight of men so that seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven (Mt. 5:16).
Is not the light of our good actions the light of the compassion of the Father?
Jesus is firm: Love your enemies (Mt 5:44) and do good, and lend without any hope of return (Luke 6:35). The light we measure out is the amount of light we will be given back (Lk 6:38).
God’s light is our hope and our destiny. We are on a journey from night into His light; our faith is assured of this in the daily liturgy:
“Father in Heaven, it is right that we should give You thanks and glory. You alone are God, living and true. Through all eternity You live in unapproachable light. Source of life and goodness. You have created all things, to fill Your creatures with every blessing and lead all men to the joyful vision of Your light.”
Adapted from Coming Home, (1977), pp. 58-60, Dimension Books, out of print
