The first reading at midnight Mass (Isaiah 9:1:6) foretells a great event: a child to be born that will be a cause for rejoicing for He will set the people free and rule a vast dominion.  He will be a counselor, hero, father, and peacemaker.  Also, He will judge justly.  His reign will be everlasting.

And He will bring light, as the first verse highlighted at the top declares.  In the gospels Jesus tells us,

I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.  (John 8:12)

This is truly good news.  We need not stumble around in sin, confusion, sadness, or regret when we have a beacon such as Christ to guide us.  It can be difficult to follow the right path but we can work it out with the Lord’s help.

Bigger problems come when we don’t realize we are in darkness (I’m not a sinner so I have no need of grace and mercy) or when we are so enveloped in darkness that even Jesus does not seem to be able to lead us out (I’m too big a sinner and unworthy of grace and mercy).

For any of us that fall into one camp or the other, we are given the glorious opportunity with the celebration of Jesus’ birthday to embrace the light which is Christ.  For those who see little or no sin in their lives, the light will penetrate us bringing to the fore all the dirt and disarray that sin and vice deposits thus compelling us to begin to clean up.  For those who have sunk into the blackness of habitual sin or deep depression, this light will illuminate a way out thus setting us on the road (back) to the Lord.

May the Light of Christmas bring conversion and renewal to all of us.  God bless us everyone!