The Light Shines On


Today's newspapers are carrying the story of the cancellation of Christmas in parts of Iraq, where the threat against Christians continues to escalate following the devastating church bombing on October 31. To many of us this is unthinkable: No decorations; no lights; no church services. “We cannot find a single source of joy that makes us celebrate," said Chaldean Archbishop Louis Sako in Kirkuk. "The situation of the Christians is bleak.”

The State Department estimates that one-half to two-thirds of Iraq's Christian population has fled the country since the start of the Iraq war. This drives home the reality of this coming Sunday's Gospel reading, Matthew 2:13-23, to be heard in all Christian churches which use the Revised Common Lectionary: Warned by an angel about King Herod's evil plan to kill the newborn Messiah, who the magi told him was king of the Jews, Joseph at once gathers Mary and Jesus and flees to Egypt. Flight is the only option; to stay would almost certainly bring death, as Herod's ensuing massacre of all the young children in and around Bethlehem showed.

At that point in time, some might have said that evil had triumphed. So might Iraqi Christians who have been forced into retreat, seclusion and darkness. As horrifying as this darkness might be, it has no power over the light of Christ. For we know the end of the Gospel story, and it is the same ending for Iraqis and all Christians on earth: Life, not death, has already won the day. Light, not darkness, has come into the world. "The light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness did not overcome it." Thanks be to God!

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