The light of Christ in us

This special season of Advent can be a wonderful time of reflecting on the “light of Christ that lives in each of us.” Our Catholic faith has so many beautiful rituals, prayers, and symbols that can assist us in connecting with those deep desires that each of us have to be in relationship with the Holy Trinity: with God our heavenly Father and with his Son Jesus for whom we await the celebration of that special day we recall his birth — an event that turned the world on its axis and changed the course of history (We even changed the calendar). During this season, we trust the Holy Spirit to lead us into 2020 Anno Domini — In the year of our Lord.

As a society, we seem to be yearning for meaning through symbols. Stores have a huge variety of all types of decorations, wreaths, lights, and holiday symbols — sometimes not necessarily Christmas symbols. Perhaps the reason that we are attracted to the shimmer and the lights is that we are searching for that inner light that each of us has been gifted with. John 8:12 — “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.’”

Starting with Advent, our families can reflect on Jesus as the Light of the World with blessing the Advent Wreath on our family dinner table. Loyola Press offers this “Prayer for Lighting the Advent Wreath”: “Blessed are you, O Lord our God, king of the universe. You sent your Son to be the Light of the world and to spread his light of love to all. As we light the candles of this wreath may its growing brightness remind us of the approaching nearness of your Son so that the day of his coming may find us prepared and filled with joy. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

At the Lighting of the Christmas tree in Gubbio, Italy on Dec. 8, 2014, Pope Francis stated: “In switching on the light of the Nativity scene, we wish for the light of Christ to be in us. A Christmas without light is not Christmas. Let there be light in the soul, in the heart; let there be forgiveness to others; let there be no hostilities, which are dark. Let there be the beautiful light of Jesus. This is my wish for all of you, when you turn on the light of the crib.”

“… If you have something dark in your soul, ask the Lord for forgiveness. Christmas is a great opportunity to cleanse the soul. Do not fear, the priest is merciful, forgiving all in the name of God, because God forgives everything.”

There are so many beautiful messages in our Advent and Christmas seasons that can lift our spirits; that can remind us to avail ourselves to the graces of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist and encourage us to be “real gifts” to one another, especially in our family. And most especially, these reminders can propel us to give of ourselves through time, talent and treasure to others, especially those with the most emotional, spiritual and material needs.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

May the Holy Spirit guide each of us to strive to be “the light of the world” during these special Advent and Christmas seasons.

Lydia Pesina is the director of the Family Life Office