Stars which symbolize light are the most fascinating symbol of Christmas. In the book of Numbers, we read about Balaam who prophesied the coming of messiah with the symbol of a star. “A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel” ( Num 24:17).

Prophet Isaiah also speaks about the coming of Messiah as rising of light; “Arise, shine, for your light has come and glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (Isa 60:1).

Zechariah after the birth of John the Baptist sung with joy about the coming of messiah; “By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Lk1:78-79).

When the angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus, they saw the light of the glory of the Lord (Lk2:9).

The three wise men were guided by the light of star to Bethlehem (Mt 2:2).

St John writes about the birth of Jesus, “The true light, which enlightens everyone was coming into the world” (Jn. 9: 9).

Later Jesus himself revealed as light of the world, “I am the light of the world, whoever, follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (Jn 8 :12).

St. Thomas Aquinas, defines “darkness as the absence of light.” When Jesus who is our light is absent in our life, in our families, communities, societies, then we are in darkness. As we are approaching the feast of Christmas, let us remember that in Jesus Christs we have God’s Light within us. He continues to enlighten us by his words and sacraments, provided we open our hearts to him in faith.

There is a beautiful hymn of Cardinal Newman in the Divine Office of the Church:

Lead kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,

Lead thou me on;

The night is dark, and I am far from home,

Lead thou me on.

Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see

The distant scene; one step enough for me” (From The Divine Office Hymns).

In this advent season as we reflect Jesus as our Light, we are also reminded about our Christian call to become the light of world (Mt5:14). Jesus is the Light, which is to be lit in through us to those who live amidst the encircling gloom and darkness.

About the Author:

Fr. Binoy Puthusery, C.M. is a Vincentian priest belonging to the Southern Indian Province. He was ordained as priest on December 27, 2008 and soon after served as an assistant parish priest in Tanzania.  In 2011, after two years of ministry, he was appointed as Spiritual Director to the Vincentian Sisters of Mercy, Mbinga Tanzania, where he still is today.