At this time of the year, as the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, we may do well to light a candle in the dark. And I write it literally and metaphorically. Candles draw us in with sight and smell (and more!), drawing our senses to an attention in the present moment. It can be a centering practice.
And it’s a practice that speaks. In our world, we need light in the dark. And we’re called light in the dark too.
I mention light as the presidential election takes place this month. May hope and love warm our hearts to live together in this place and time, with dignity and respect. May we hear God’s call to be a light unto the world, to bear good fruit. Whatever happens, may we trust that we are called to carry light into our future, praying: “God, Your Kingdom Come.”
I mention light as our country and world battle through this pandemic. When rising case numbers have made our best way forward one of continued distance during worship, and when being apart from each other in these times is just so hard… we may light candles as we pray for each other to be held in the love and comfort and presence of God. In what feels dark or lonely, Christ is a light and our faith is a flame that is not snuffed out, even now. In the dark and cold, there will be a light in the promise of God. And we live this with, and for, one another. And we shine our lights of love by showing care—strong and cautious—and emphasizing our collective health.
And I mention light as All Saints Day approaches. We light candles or ring bells to remember bright lights of Spirit and Flesh in our world—those that have left us, but whose fire touched us and whose testimony keeps our spirits burning too. Our tradition’s practice of All Saints Day has been a light to my spirituality, encouraging me in deep faith connections to faithful folks that have died and sending me toward wonder at the “great cloud of witnesses” we remember and celebrate. We are not alone in our journey, and each one of us is a gift to each other. How beautiful to see that light in the world! Gratitude and grief all fit in the kingdom of God.
And in God’s world, there is so. much. light. Even in the dark.
May Christ’s presence and promise be a light to us, that we may reflect that light to the whole world,
Pastor Shaun
And it’s a practice that speaks. In our world, we need light in the dark. And we’re called light in the dark too.
I mention light as the presidential election takes place this month. May hope and love warm our hearts to live together in this place and time, with dignity and respect. May we hear God’s call to be a light unto the world, to bear good fruit. Whatever happens, may we trust that we are called to carry light into our future, praying: “God, Your Kingdom Come.”
I mention light as our country and world battle through this pandemic. When rising case numbers have made our best way forward one of continued distance during worship, and when being apart from each other in these times is just so hard… we may light candles as we pray for each other to be held in the love and comfort and presence of God. In what feels dark or lonely, Christ is a light and our faith is a flame that is not snuffed out, even now. In the dark and cold, there will be a light in the promise of God. And we live this with, and for, one another. And we shine our lights of love by showing care—strong and cautious—and emphasizing our collective health.
And I mention light as All Saints Day approaches. We light candles or ring bells to remember bright lights of Spirit and Flesh in our world—those that have left us, but whose fire touched us and whose testimony keeps our spirits burning too. Our tradition’s practice of All Saints Day has been a light to my spirituality, encouraging me in deep faith connections to faithful folks that have died and sending me toward wonder at the “great cloud of witnesses” we remember and celebrate. We are not alone in our journey, and each one of us is a gift to each other. How beautiful to see that light in the world! Gratitude and grief all fit in the kingdom of God.
And in God’s world, there is so. much. light. Even in the dark.
May Christ’s presence and promise be a light to us, that we may reflect that light to the whole world,
Pastor Shaun