I recently read an article about seasonal affective disorder. The nearer to the earth's poles one lives, the longer they have to endure a time of darkness every year. Here is Wisconsin we don't have to endure darkness like those who live closer to the Arctic Circle do. Still, in December many people leave for work in darkness and by the time they get home for the day it's dark again. Combine the darkness with dreary days and you have a recipe for dark moods. I know there are things you can do to help with these feelings (exercise, find reasons to still get fresh air, eat and sleep well, embrace cold-weather activities, ect) but sometimes the darkness of the season seems to penetrate the soul. Then Christmas comes. Like a candle flickering in a dark room Christmas stands out against the darkness of the season. It comes and brings joy to hearts that are heavy. In the darkness of this world God sent the light of his Son. In the darkness of a night's sky the angels announced our Savior's birth. In our darkness Jesus comes to bring peace and the light of sins forgiven. This doesn't mean we don't still have dark moods or dreary days. It means that those days are numbered; they're temporary. In Jesus, sadness and sorrow will flee away and gladness and joy will take their place. He is the answer to this world's darkness. Come Lord Jesus and fill us with your peace as we celebrate your birth!