Voices of the Middle East - Light Triumphs over darkness on Yalda's Eve
A time for reflection and renewal.
A time to celebrate the victory of light over darkness.
A time for family, food, and gifts.
This is Yalda’s Eve, an ancient festival marking the winter solstice and celebrated by millions of Persian-speakers.
The link with Christmas is uncanny, and Ayman, a Christian SAT-7 PARS viewer, takes great encouragement from it.
“The beautiful connection between Yalda's Eve and the wonderful birth of our Lord Jesus Christ becomes evident in their meaning and in the triumph of light over darkness,” he explained to us last December. “Yalda, the longest night of the year, symbolises the end of darkness and the beginning of brighter days. Similarly, the birth of Jesus Christ in the world marked the dawn of divine light in the hearts of humanity; a light that overcame the darkness of sin and despair.”
We should not be surprised that non-Christian festivals echo Christian truths. For God made the cosmos, and his fingerprints are all over it. Even those who do not follow Jesus notice the wonders of the universe and the emotive symbolism of the seasons.
Of course, we do well to steer away from superstition and the dark spiritual forces of this world. Festivals marking the solstices are sometimes infused with paganism and superstition, and although the modern version of Yalda’s Eve is mostly centred on spending time with family and celebrating themes of light and renewal, a sprinkle of caution could be advised.
But SAT-7 viewer Ayman is a great example of how to interact with culture while guarding your heart and standing strong in faith. Because Ayman sees Yalda’s Eve as a chance to focus His mind on the incarnation of Christ.
We can all learn something from Ayman’s approach.
Whatever your Christmas traditions, and whatever your thoughts about how Christmas is celebrated in the wider culture, you can choose to fix your eyes on God and look for reminders of His character throughout the festive season and beyond.
When you see Christmas lights illuminating your city’s streets, will you think of Jesus, the light of the world who extinguishes darkness?
When you go home for the holidays and receive an almighty hug from your father, will you remember the embrace of God, who welcomes us into his loving arms?
When you witness a child’s delight at opening a Christmas gift, will you thank God for the ultimate gift He gave humanity: His Son?
Ayman continues: “Both occasions remind us of hope, joy, and the promise of brighter days ahead. Just as after Yalda, the days grow longer and the light increases, the birth of Christ fills our lives with love, peace, and the light of divine Truth.”
If we can follow Ayman’s lead, this could well be the most joy-filled Christmas season of our lives. Will we focus our minds on Him throughout each day, and channel all our thoughts and experiences towards Him?
Will we take up the challenge to see Christ in the small things and in all things?
Think about your life in the coming weeks.
Who might you see in the Christmas holidays?
Where will you celebrate Christmas Day?
What might you read and watch? What might you eat and drink?
What might you experience of nature, and of winter?
Colossians 1:17b says that “in [Jesus] all things hold together”, and Ephesians 1:23b says “[Jesus] fills everything in every way.”
Reminders of Jesus and His teaching are quite literally everywhere, and our Master waits to be found. Will you look for Him in the festivities and the carols?
In the stars and the silent nights?
In the faces of your family and friends?
Let us imitate our Iranian brother Ayman, seeing the character of God in all its beauty and in all its forms.
“On this special night, we can be grateful for the presence of the Lord who has shone His light in the darkness of our lives,” says Ayman. “May the glorious birth of our Lord Jesus Christ – the only Saviour and Lord of peace – and the Eve of Yalda be blessed for you and your dear family.”
Indeed.
