The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only- begotten Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.” -John 1:1-18
 
The Bible is written in black and white, but we must read and contemplate it in color. To understand Scripture, we must look deeper than the words on the paper's surface. Recently, I read that the Nativity was not illuminated in the glow we see in paintings and Christmas cards. That is a black-and-white interpretation.
 
When Moses came down the mountain, the people had to cover his face, which glowed radiantly because he had spent time in God's presence. Jesus was illuminated dazzling white when Moses and Elijah visited Him on the mountain. When we read Scripture in color, it isn’t much of a stretch to believe that God Incarnate, coming straight from the Most Holy Trinity, would still have a glow shining from Him. 
 
The shepherds in the field found Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, just as the angel told them. Would it make more sense that they saw a dank, dark cave or the illumination of Christ overcoming the darkness? Which would cause the shepherds to leave, praising and glorifying God and telling everyone what they had seen and heard? I have seen that light and felt God's power, love, and mercy within it. Like the shepherds in the field, that light changed me. When we read Scripture in that light, we see it is written in color.

Merry Christmas!
 
Pope Saint Sylvester, pray for us.
 
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Jesus, I trust in you.