Guest Post by Dr. Dennis Ortman: Light Show
LIGHT SHOW “ I am the light of the world. ” --Jesus of Nazareth “ White Christmas, ” written by Irving Berlin in 1942 and sung by Bing Crosby, is the most popular Christmas song ever. That is surprising, since most of the world never experiences snow at the end of December. The southern hemisphere is bathed in summer warmth, while half of the land north of the equator only experiences a winter chill. LIGHT SHOW THEN Christmas, at its heart, is really a light show. History displays its meaning. We do not know precisely when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. It was not until the fourth century that December 25 th was established as its official date by the Church. That date was set to compete with the pagan feast of the “ Birth of the Invincible Sun. ” Christ was the rising “ Sun of Righteousness. ” December 25 th was four days after the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. The gradually increasing daylight signified light overcoming darkness. Today we celebrate Ch