Looking
for the Light This Season
by
Alex Thomas
a
revised reprint of an article written in the online
magazine
TheYogic
Way
As we approach the holiday season we become aware that the days are getting shorter and we are surrounded by much more darkness. And as we move into one of the darkest and coldest times of the year, other kinds of darkness that are experienced by ourselves and others, are brought to mind. According to a study I recently read, in an average congregation on a Sunday morning about one fifth of the people will be feeling darkness because of bereavement; one third will be facing the darkness of divorce or marital difficulties; a half will be facing dark times of adjusting to school, home, job, or community. A number of people will be facing the darkness of guilt. Still others will be facing an addiction to alcohol and /or other drugs. While others will be feeling the darkness of other kinds of illnesses. In fact, I suspect that all reading this today are actually experiencing darkness of some kind.
In times of darkness it is easy to despair and wonder whether the light will ever come again. This is why it is so important to be reminded that even in the midst of darkness there is light and that all we need do is look for it. I wrote a poem a few years ago about a loss which was a dark time for me. It is a poem that expressed the pain of loss but also the belief that light will come even at these dark times.
The Late Spring Storm
To
say goodbye is like a late spring storm
which
comes when growth has just begun
and
life on the branch is lost for a season
and
a love is gone never to return
Feelings
unexpressed are like the wind
blowing
within us in every direction
like
the pounding of a base note
making
its presence felt but covering the melody
The
winter wind in spring is bitter
it
numbs the face and slows the body
giving
the feeling that the sun will never come
and
that warm winds and soft falling rain are illusions
But
we wait
for
seasons change
and
the frost will go
and
leafless trees will gain composure
the
birds will find their nests
and
we in time will find ourselves
The hope that light is possible in a seemingly dark life, comes from first recognizing the presence of light within ourselves. I believe that once you can recognize your own light, you are enabled to see the light in others. Conversely, once you can see the light in others, you will know that you have been able to see the light in yourself. This point is made clear in the story of a wise old Rabbi who instructed his students by asking questions:
He asked, "How can a person tell when the darkness ends and the day begins?" After thinking for a moment, one student replied, "It is when there is enough light to see an animal in the distance and be able to tell if it is a sheep or a goat." Another student ventured, "It is when there is enough light to see a tree, and tell if it is a fig or an oak tree." The old Rabbi gently said, "No. It is when you can look into a man's face and recognize him as your brother. For if you cannot recognize in another's face the face of your brother, the darkness has not yet begun to lift, and the light has not yet come."
In his book, The Magnificent Defeat, Frederick Buechner has a wonderful description of the experience of the power within – (you can substitute “every man” for “everyone”):
Heaven knows terrible things happen to people in this world. The good die young, and the wicked prosper, and in any one town, anywhere, there is grief enough to freeze the blood. But from deep within whatever the hidden spring is that life wells up from, there wells up into our lives, even at their darkest and maybe especially then, a power to heal, to breathe new life into us. And in this regard, I think, every man is a mystic because every man at one time ornother experiences in the thick of his joy or his pain the power out of the depths of his life to bless him. I do not believe that it matters greatly what name you call this power- the Spirit of God is only one of its names-but what I think does matter, vastly, is that we open ourselves to receive it; that we address it and let ourselves be addressed by it; that we move in the direction that it seeks to move us, the direction of fuller communion with itself and with one another. (Frederick Buechner, The Magnificent Defeat, Seabury press, NY, 1968 p.115 )
It is this experience of the light within that makes it possible ro look for the light in the midst of the darkness that surrounds us.
*
It is no coincidence that the celebrations at this time of year are celebrations of light. People gather to celebrate the winter solstice, the return of light when the days begin to get longer. For example, the Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah which is called by many “the miracle of light”, the Christians celebrate Christmas, the birth of the light that shines in the darkness, the Hindus celebrate Divali “the festival of lights” seen as representing the return of the light of hope to the people, and Africans celebrate Kwanzaa, honouring the light of morality and community. People light candles and lamps. They put lights on their houses, along the roads, and decorate trees with light. These acts all remind us to look for the light in all our circumstances. There is always light even in the darkest moments. Look for it and celebrate it.
*
We can also be light to other people. This became clear a few years ago when I was out with a group of young adults camping out in the country. Our late evening session entailed going out together in the dark, into the woods, on an unfamiliar trail. One person, the leader, had been on the trail before and he was the only one with a flashlight. It was quite scary to say the least. We didn’t know where we were, but we did finally end up in the light of the main building.When we arrived back at the building, we sat around and talked about the experience. We talked about how important it was to trust the leader, and how important it was to hold hands with one another, forming a chain, as we went along the path, listening to the messages from the one ahead of you: "there is a low branch here", "there is a fallen tree there" and so on. We needed one another. We were the light to one another.
We impact people by the way we act and the choices we make. Even simple gestures like a smile can have a profoundly positive affect on other people. When we seek always to be friendly, helpful, and responsive, we effortlessly create an atmosphere around ourselves that is both uplifting and inspiring.
As it was pointed out in a recent article, Spreading Your Light, in DailyOm:
If we project our passion for life, our warmth, and our tolerance in our facial features, voice, and choice of words, every person who enters our circle of influence will leave our presence feeling at peace with themselves and with us. You never know whose life you are affecting, big or small. Try to remember this as you go out into the world each day.
This holiday season can be a time of darkness for us in many ways, but you need not be overcome by the darkness. Look for the light and be a light toothers!
You are visitor number
UK Online Casinos
This free counter
is supplied by
Visible Counter
Connect with Deacon Sils Homelical resource
Also for more sermon and lectionary resources connect to
SERMON AND SERMON LECTIONARY RESOURCES
Check
Out my daughter's web site CARLY'S
STRENGTH
THE
GODDESS WITHIN
MUSIC PROJECT
Each year, thousands of women and children become homeless as a result of domestic violence. "The Goddess Within" music project is designed to empower those whose lives have been affected by domestic abuse and to raise awareness of this issue.
"The Goddess Within" compilation album will showcase artists and their songs, written for or relating to those escaping the cycle of violence. The C.D. will be distributed throughout North America and proceeds from the sale of the C.D. will be donated to women's shelters.
More information on the CD is available at ARTISTS FOR CHANGE
My daughter Carly
is featured on the album with her
song The Mask.
The art for cover for the CD
album is the creation of another
daughter,
Mary Anne Molcan.
Another site to access is Ending Domestic Abuse
*
Mary Anne is a very talented artist. She has a new web site called Faerie Artist where she displays her Art. You can access her site at:
