Fr. Robert Nash, S.J., "Light Shone Out In The Midst Of The Darkness Of The First Christmas Night"

To seek God in prayer is to plunge the soul into light. In many places in Holy Scripture, you will come upon references to the fact that God is light. The chosen people of God in the Old Testament had been groping for long years and stumbling much in the darkness that covered the earth. And lo; at last there was vouchsafed to Isaias (Isaiah) a glimpse of the Messias (Messiah) Who was to come.

Here is his exultant shout of joy: “The people that sat in darkness have seen a great light. To them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death light is risen.” (Isaiah 9:2)

“Wherefore, arise and be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for your light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold darkness shall cover the earth and a mist the people, but upon you the Lord shall rise and His glory shall be seen upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1-2) When Our Lord comes, we are again reminded of this symbol of light. Light shone out in the midst of the darkness of the first Christmas night. Simeon took Mary’s Son into his arms, and his eyes shone with joy as he recognised in Him “the light of the gentiles.” Our Lord Himself proclaimed Himself to be the light of the world, and the evangelist knows Him to be the true light that enlightened every man that comes into the world.

Saint John, who soars in prayer like the eagle high up into the blinding rays of the divinity, tells us that “God is light and in Him there is no darkness.” 

And Saint Paul writes to his disciple Timothy that God is He Who dwells in light inaccessible. So when a man kneels down to pray he is seeking companionship with this God of light. Once more, there is darkness over the face of the earth, more especially, alas, in the evil days upon which we have fallen. 

Link (here) to the full piece by Fr. Robert Nash, S.J. entitled, "WHEN YOU PRAY"