In late November, scientists reported one of the largest solar flares in decades had erupted on the surface of the sun, sending a burst of plasma and magnetic field hurling toward earth. The forecast was for a large geomagnetic storm making the Aurora Borealis — the Northern Lights — visible across much of the northern United States. It was expected to be quite a show. 

I was excited. I had seen glimpses of the lights before, but this was supposed to be an exceptional display. I plotted the best time frame for viewing. That night, I looked out my north-facing window with great expectation. Right away I noticed the streetlight down the way was interfering with a view to the northeast. Looking to the north-northwest, I could see a glow, but it was not the Aurora. From my home in Belleville, all I could see was city lights emanating from Verona, Fitchburg and Madison beyond that. 

Astronomers and amateur sky gazers like me are often foiled by this kind of light. It’s called light pollution. It’s when man made lights interfere with the twinkle of the heavenly stars or the spectacular-ness of Northern Lights. One must get away from any urban areas to get a clear view of the heavenly phenomena.

On Christmas Eve, we lit candles to celebrate the birth of one whom the prophets proclaimed was a light to overcome all darkness. And in that ancient time, they certainly knew darkness. Corruption, persecution and domination under the heavy hand of the Roman Empire created dark lives for most. And there is certainly no denying the darkness in our world today. Divisions created by gender, age, race, ethnicity, orientation, religion have fueled strife, chaos and war in our country and our world. Personal darkness can pervade with dire diagnosis, dysfunctional relationships, grief, despair, brokenness. 

But I would suggest there is another kind of barrier preventing us from seeing the light of all life in our world and our lives today. A kind of light pollution, if you will. Our excessive bending to the manmade, secular, worldly endeavors that have us so preoccupied. Being so consumed by our calendars; so overwhelmed in the materialistic pursuits; so distracted by selfish regard, we miss the holy moments when the light shines for us. 

And so, in this Christmastime, light a candle to celebrate the arrival of the light that overcomes the dark places in our world. Light a candle for refugees in overcrowded camps fleeing war in the middle east. Light a candle for the children who attend school in dim bomb shelters in Ukraine. Light a candle for the patient in the cancer wing. Light a candle for the homeless family in the shelter. 

And light a candle as a reminder to keep our hearts and eyes open to sort through the light pollution that distracts us and prevents us from seeing the greatest light that comes into our lives again and again, over and over. For the times we think it’s old news. For the times we forget to be humbled. For the times we forget to be grateful. For the times we forget to look and see all the goodness of creation all around us. We look to the light…because it is quite a show. 

For the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, on them a light has shined…for a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Amen.

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Todd Hackman is senior pastor at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Monroe.