Light and Darkness

Dear readers,

Stars, comets, candles of all shapes. Advent wreaths, lights on a tree and the cheerful street and home decorations—when I think of Christmas, I always think of light. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it,” wrote John in his gospel (1:5). A couple of lines later, he added, “The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world” (1:9). “Jesus, the light of the world,” the Christmas liturgy says.

Of course, there is also the other religious celebration of light this season: Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, which this year is celebrated from Dec. 15-22. It has its roots in a revolution against the suppression of the Jewish religion in 165 B.C.

Speaking of light and revolutions, it seems fitting that this issue covers the extraordinary event that took place in Hungary in September: the 50th anniversary gathering for the Volunteers of God, a branch of the Focolare Movement that rose from the ashes of the 1956 Hungarian revolution.

In her keynote address for the event (see page 16), Chiara Lubich spoke of a collective dark night that envelops our world, and the response that the spirituality of unity offers. Quoting from a first-century deacon, St. Lawrence, she said, “My night knows no darkness, and all things are full of light to me.”

At the event, people from all over the world bore witness in a powerful way as to how the ideal of unity can shed light on every field of endeavor. The inherent challenges were embraced by many worldwide.

As 2006 draws to its end, the Living City staff and I want to express our gratitude for your support and wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

May this issue accompany and inspire your holidays,

Clare Zanzucchi