Finding Beauty in the Dark

 This morning, as the predawn sky begins to brighten, I find myself meditating on darkness and the coming of light. As we enter the darkest time of the year, approaching the Winter Solstice on December 21, we can fear and curse the dark, or we can embrace the lessons it has to teach us. 

There is something to be said for sometimes sitting in the dark: "Darkness can be so soothing when you know it won't last forever; you can slip into shadow as a refuge, especially when the light has been pitiless. Spiritual wisdom has it that light is the truth, but there are many kinds of beauty in darkness, like the silver-golden glitter in the internal dark when we close our eyes and at twilight and at dawn..."(Anne Lamott, Dusk, Night, Dawn).

Without darkness, we cannot see or appreciate the light. As we retreat into our homes, light fireplaces and candles, put up holiday twinkle and sparkle, we contrast the darkness and cold of the outside world with the cheeriness created indoors. We celebrate light at this time of year, clinging to it as our natural world settles into the quiet of hibernation.  

                                            

Contrasts of darkness and light are major themes in many religions. Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, celebrates the inner light that protects us from darkness and welcomes peace and joy. Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights which coincides with Christmas this year, celebrates the reclaiming of the temple of Jerusalem and centers around the lighting of the Menorah for eight days. 

Advent is the Christian period of preparation for Christ's birth and second coming; the anticipation of the Light of the World being manifested in our hearts and minds. The Advent wreath and lighting of candles has special significance: The advent candles each represent a specific aspect of the spiritual preparations for Christmas. The three main colors are purple, pink, and white, symbolizing hope, peace, joy and love. The last (white) candle, lit on the fourth Sunday of Advent, is the Christ candle.

Whatever our religious traditions, we are entering a time of year marked by retreat and reflection, alternating with festive gathering and celebrations: the darkness of retreat contrasts with the light that we bring from within and manifest in our hearts and homes.

 We can learn from the dark as well as the light, embracing each as part of the mystery that is life. As we pause to gather with family for Thanksgiving this week, may we remember to give thanks in all times and circumstances!

Thank you God, for everything!

 

Rise Above

 Life goes on.The sunrise yesterday was spectacular; thank God for beauty, nature and hope. 

I will not lie: I am deeply disappointed in the results of our nation's presidential election. Many are. But more, apparently, are satisfied, some of whom may be reading this blog. Even though I fear we are going down a very dark path, others do not and only time will tell. Perhaps all the dark, dystopian rhetoric and threats about retribution for those who disagree was all theater. I hope so, because my prayer is for our country to heal from the hatred and division that has been created by leaders with their own best interests at heart.

I read my Daily Word for today: "In prayer, I envision a harmonious human community that assures everyone's basic needs are met, respects differing viewpoints and celebrates the unique expression of God that each person is". These words seem to be at odds with half of our country, who appear to have a deep mistrust of those who are different from themselves. This makes me sad, but perhaps we must go through this time of darkness before we can begin to see the light, before we can heal from our division. I will cling to hope. I will choose to believe that love will win out in the end; that we will be able to rise above the fray of nastiness and ask the Holy Spirit to give us the fruits of the spirit as a lens through which to see others:

 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control".  Galatians 5:22-23

As we honor our veterans today, recognizing the sacrifices they have made defending our ideals of freedom and democracy, may we all rise above, with a fierce determination to keep the faith,continue to do good and practice agape love, everyday.

              

Transforming Darkness

We've set the clocks back an hour; our days will be getting shorter and darker. In this same week, there is a momentous election before us, one which may very well determine the fate of our country. My mind conjures up metaphors for the time we are in: of darkness and light; despair and hope; hatred and love; evil and good. What is darkness but the absence of light; despair but the absence of hope; hatred but the absence of love; evil but the absence of good? Each one of these is an example of a void versus a filling up, a need in the emptiness of despair, hatred and evil that can be met with hope, love and kindness.

In my 2 am. meditations, I visualize moving the dark energy of hatred into the Light of Christ...I see it disperse into tiny sparks and then move upwards into the boundless arms of Love. I pray that all will be well; that we will continue on in hope and goodness; that we will heal from this time of division and name calling.

No matter what happens, I am hopeful that all will be well in time if those who are called to the light will continue the process of transforming darkness. It is important work that our country and the world need now more than ever.

Each one of us can do this work, in our own circles, praying to be a reflection of Divine light and love to those around us. We must stand firm and refuse to give in to the darkness of negativity and hatred for "the other". We must search for the sacred spark in each living being, and commit to bringing us back from the edge of the dark cavern of hatred we now stand on.

I believe that our country is so much better than this, that the ideals of democracy and equality for all that we were founded on are still relevant and so critically important to cling to and uphold right now. I pray for us all and hope you will too.