The True Light of the World Upon Us on Our Savior’s Birth

By: Joe Mauricio

 

There are maybe millions of them, but who’s counting? There are fewer oranges than white ones, lots of red ones traveling, few yellows and greens. When you look at the world from a distance, they are a pretty big muddle. But it only takes a moment to figure out what most of them are, some are big and bright, lighting up the darkest spots from high above.

Parking lots, roads, farms and some secure areas… The smaller ones seem to be twinkly, like backyard fireflies in the summer nights, they seem more distant but friendly, mired in the air. You can tell which ones are homes, which tend to be a bit uniform and clustered together. And the traffic lights change from red to green commanding no one.

Without lights, the world would be dark and dim, cast into shadows, wondering where we are going, and not being able to see how to get anywhere. Total darkness is never silent as we hear every tweet and te=witch of the world, and our thoughts. Even though the same noises are present everyday, in the darkness they become lurking monsters. We look for light to calm our fears.

Although each does the same thing, they help us to see differently. The big bright ones, perhaps our Dharma, illuminate large areas of our mind, but there are still dark, insecure spots in our mind that they can’t reach. The twinkles that remain are those we haven’t met yet, awaiting their turns to help guide our way. Still, their lights are pretty and unsteady. But there remain many nooks and crannies of insecurity and self-doubt.

For them, we need to look for more personal sources of lights, that of heart and home. There are no demanding stop-and-go lights. The soft cluster of glow is always the most welcome sight after a long day, with each of our loved ones helping to fill the dark with light.

The light of the Sun helps to cure the world’s darkness. But we need to be able to let all of the lights in if we are going to be fulfilled. Lighting each nook and cranny helps us to be fulfilled with our own special light.

But, whether it be orange, red, or green, we all can provide light for others as they twinkle in the night.

Always remember, our Lord and Savior gave us light…MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, MALIGAYANG PASKO SA LAHAT!##