welcome December 20, 2004 Issue

The light that never goes out

Steve Graham

Despite The Way the twelfth month has of presenting twice as much to do as there is time to do it in; even though Christmas circulars show up on the doorstep these days with much greater frequency than traditional Christmas carolers; in spite of crowds, commercialism, and commotion—I still love the day, and the season. (Our yearly Christmas issue of the Sentinel has become my personal favorite.) No matter what, something shines through.

Much is said, sometimes with regret, about how people forget that "Jesus is the reason for the season," and how we shouldn't "take the Christ out of Christmas." But, you know something—he is, and we can't. Not even the loudest cacophony of the latest video games at your local Wal-Mart can eclipse the voice of Truth in anyone's heart or mind. And as long as that voice remains unquenchable (which it has since before the shepherds heard "Glory to God in the highest" and the wise men followed a shining star), the spirit of Christmas will remain virtually untarnished.

You'll find the following pages awash in examples of how stars have shone and the Christ has spoken in the hearts and minds of people at Christmas and throughout the year, revealing what is unique and essential to this Season of Light: peace and hope and healing. And we're sure that the Christ-light in these stories will inspire you with the happy realization that you can be part of the shining, and rejoice with us in the words of Phillips Brooks's "O Little Town of Bethlehem":

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