Director’s Blog: Merry Christmas from Villages of Hope!

Over the past 14 years we have celebrated many Christmas seasons in Africa and have enjoyed them all. We also have on occasion had the opportunity to celebrate Christmas in Canada. This year we are in Canada, so we get the chance to spend the holidays with our extended family and Canadian friends. One of the things we enjoy most about Christmas in Canada is the many Christmas decorations, especially the lights. The glow of Christmas lights always reminds us of the biblical account of Christ’s birth and how much light played a part in Christ’s coming to earth.

In Matthew 2:2 The Magi said, “For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

The star which the Magi saw in the sky emitted light; they attributed this light to the messiah. We then read in Matthew 2:9 – 10 that this light brought great joy into their lives:

“After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”

We also read in Luke 2:9 that, “an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them (the shepherds in the fields), and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.” Their reaction was quite different from that of the Magi.

From these passages we learn the glory of the Lord shines when He is revealed to mankind and man’s reaction varies depending on one’s expectation. The Magi were in a state of expectation, therefore when the light shone, they were filled with great joy. The shepherds on the other hand, were not expecting anything, so when the Glory of the Lord shone around them they were afraid.

The scene of Jesus’ birth has been painted and re-enacted many times. Most of the scenes show a great light from heaven shining down on the new born babe, laying in a manger, in a humble setting. But in reality it was the other way around, the light should be shown as shining forth from the baby, for it was the glory of the Lord which shone forth from Him and not down on Him. 

John understood this well. He wrote in his epistle,

“In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (John 1:4-5)

Then in verse 9 he writes, “There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.”

The light which shines is the life of Christ which has come into a dark world to reveal the Glory of God.

During this Christmas season let’s not look for the light that points to Christ, but rather let us look for the light that comes from Him and lights the darkness that covers this world. Let’s not be blinded to this light by the things of this world or the troubles we face, but rather let us look to the light with naked eyes and behold His Glory. Let us be awed by it, let our lives be filled with joy because of it, let us anticipate it as the Magi and allow it to bring great joy into our lives.

Thank you for being a part of showing the Village of Hope children and youth God’s light and love!

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

Sergio & Nancy Bersaglio

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Twitter: @voh_africa