Even in the deep darkness, I was still guided by the brightness of the light. Several years ago, as I was driving down country roads in rural Ohio, I literally became disoriented by the shadows overwhelming the landscape. The roads seemed endless in the flat land, as I felt lost and consumed by the night. But in my anxiousness and worry, I was drawn to the radiating farm poll lights which provided me direction and assurance. Indeed, I experienced light in the darkness.

Many of us experienced the grandeur of the last few days. Now on the fourth day of Christmas, radiant joy continues to permeate the atmosphere, while bows, boxes and bundles of presents still litter living rooms. Wouldn’t it be lovely if the glitter, the bright colors, and the festive tones of Christ’s birth lasted all year long?

Most parents who have raised a child through adolescence can relate to the account of the Holy Family in Luke 2:41-52. Here is twelve-year-old Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the Living God, on the brink of manhood, speaking for Himself, revealing His identity as Son of the Father, full of grace and truth (as John would say in the opening verses of his gospel).

When my husband, little daughter and I lived in Montana, we could tell when spring was drawing near. Oh, there still was snow up to the window sills. The furnace would still be running almost constantly. Vehicles would still need to be plugged in, lest they fail to start after sitting outside in subzero temperatures. Night after night, we tucked in and fell asleep…until that night when we were awakened by a most welcomed, rhythmic duet of wind and water.

What does it mean to be a faithful follower of Jesus? Well, St. John certainly was a true believer in our Lord and His Gospel, and a quick study of his life provides us a model for true discipleship.

The day after Christmas is here. The Christmas pageants and church services are done. The presents you’ve carefully chosen have been distributed and wrapping paper abounds in piles on your floor. The only evidence of meals specially prepared are the leftovers. Your loved ones are once again busy with their own lives and you are left alone—what do you do now? Maybe it’s time to do some day-after Christmas shopping, with exchanges and returns at local stores. Or maybe it’s a time to enjoy the peace of the day and reflect back on the Advent season and Christmas day. Or perhaps it’s a time of hollowness because you feel like you are all alone. I’ve done and felt all of these things. What do we do now?

The pressing question is, “With whom is God pleased?” This question is critical because people are unable to “fear not” if they are concerned with whether God is pleased or angry with them. This question uncovers our basic impulse: we think we must do something pleasing for God to be pleased with us. We imagine that we must do something that makes Him happy, that at least takes the edge off His anger. We presume that He must be angry with us since we are sinners.

On this holy night, Christians will be singing this beloved carol. If ever a hymn captured the depth, the wonder of Luke 2:1-14, I’d say this is the one. Four verses that many will come to know by heart—four verses that speak to the predicament, the person, the promise and the plea that are wrapped up in the story we celebrate this night.