From Deepest Darkness there Came Great Light
It matters
where the light falls
A manger is
a trough from which horses and cattle are fed. Once a manger was padded with
hay that a baby might rest upon it and the world be fed. Gentle hands laid him
to rest upon a bed of straw and a great light from deepest darkness fell upon
him.
They did not
know that it matters where the light falls, that if it falls upon a heart so
open, it will find there not just a home, but a mirror to reflect it back. When
they looked upon him they saw the great light shining back through his heart,
his smile, his touch, his words. But it matters where the light falls. For
some, the reflected light from deepest darkness warmed and illuminated them and
they felt great and abiding joy. For others the light was blinding, and they
could not look directly at it. They feared it because they knew that to look at
the sun could do great harm. They didn’t know that this son meant them no harm.
It matters
where the light falls. Some saw the light from afar and knew it was a beacon
that could guide them. They let the light fall upon their hearts and found it
would lead them across vast expanses and bring them at last to the source of
the light. And so it did. It brought them to a tiny manger from which they were
fed, one small heart reflecting the light for all to see. For that is what he
was from the moment he was laid in the manger, simply a reflector of the great
light from deepest darkness.
It matters
where the light falls. If it falls upon the doors of an inn that are closed,
the light will warm and illuminate only the door, not able to enter across the
threshold.
That night
long ago, it fell upon a stable whose doors were swung wide and whose creatures
were welcoming. That night it found an open manger, a receptive place, for the
light to be laid with gentleness upon a soft bed created with love. That night
the great light that sprung from deepest darkness came to rest upon the heart
of a child. His heart, which was so great in one so small, welcomed the light
and there was immeasurable joy.
His heart
shone forth with the light. His heart was the light. His heart is each heart.
The great
light from deepest darkness ever shines and ever touches all, it matters only
whether it falls upon a closed door or upon a place with doors open and a
manger waiting where the light can rest and feed all.
Lynda Allen
