December 1, 2020
PUBLISHER’S CORNER
By Eloise Graham
Let There Be Light
It is now December. In the Northern Hemisphere the dark nights are longer, and the daylight hours shorter. December is a dark month. However throughout history, we humans have always looked for and found the light.
Take the winter solstice, for instance. Celebrating the Winter Solstice is probably the oldest celebration known to mankind. This is a Pagan celebration with a lot of folklore surrounding it. The Druids, Celtic Priests, began the tradition of the Yule log. The Celtics thought that the sun stood still for twelve days surrounding the winter solstice. During this time a large log was lit to conquer the darkness, banish evil spirits and bring luck for the new year. Let the Yule log burn and bring light.
The Jewish celebrate the Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights or the miracle of the oil. A lamp was needed to burn for eight days in preparation for the rededication of the temple. There was only enough oil to last for one day. The lamp was lit. All of the oil was used. The next day there was enough oil to burn for one more day. This happened eight times. Hence the eight days of Hanukkah celebration and the lighting of the Menorah. Let the oil lamp burn and give out light.
Christians celebrate the Star of Bethlehem. It is said this star shone brightly over the place where the Baby Jesus was born. The star guided the Magi from the East to Bethlehem, so that they might pay homage to the young Baby. Let the stars shine brightly, giving out light.
Jesus himself said, “I am the Light of the world.” John 8:12. He continued, “Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness…” Where there is light, there can be no darkness.
The Story of Light and Dark
Light had never seen Dark or darkness, but Dark had seen Light. Dark lived in a cave, but would sometimes go to the cave door and see Light. One day, Dark asked Light if he would like to see Dark. Oh, yes, Light said. He had heard of it but never seen it. So Dark invited him into the cave, but when Light entered, there was no darkness.
The moral: Where there is light, darkness cannot survive.
Let your light shine on through this dark time!
