Eight days ago, December announced her runway debut with easy strides to end the year with joy. Her first task was to shorten daylight and let darkness bring a sense of chilled calm to earth. During these first days of December, I looked for traces of light flickering in the darkness. I sat by the fireplace watching flames flicker warming the chilled rooms. While I cherish the silence of darkness, I also enjoy the brightness of lights, especially at the holidays.
To keep the light shining in our home, we had pathway lights and spotlights installed illuminating our new trees. One Magnolia specimen tree stands proudly in each seat wall garden area. In addition, the front of our house has a new bush, a Ruby Falls Red Bud. It's devoid of its leaves now but arches gracefully. Each night, a long strand of lights and six round balls illuminate the front garden attesting to Mahatma Gandhi's quote, "In the midst of darkness, light persists." In the Bible, John 1:5 states, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
Jone MacCullock, the host of the December Spiritual Journey Thursday, invited our community of writers to ponder several questions on Light and Dark.
- How do you honor/embrace this time of darkness?
- Where do you find the points of light in your life?
- In a few weeks, the winter solstice will be here, how do you honor this and Christmas?
- How do you use this time of year for self-reflection?
Carol, you're right: so many in the world need the light this year.
ReplyDeleteI hope your holidays are luminous!
And a happy holiday wishes to you, Susan!
DeleteI love Gandhi's quote, Carol. It is perfect for both SJ and PF posts this week. And perfect for December's reflection. Hope is always present - even in darkness. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAnd as I was re-reading your post for SJ, I found myself singing Christ Be Our Light... Our family and faith-sharing group often chose this song at Advent -- so full of hope! thank you for the reminder!
DeletePatricia, may hope fill your heart throughout December. Christ Be Our Light is one of my favorite songs because it brings light to thoughts that affect so many. I need to keep reminding myself that light persists even when darkness hovers. Have a blessed week.
DeleteWhat a welcoming, festive front entrance! Thanks for your thoughts about light in the darkness. It was nice to reflect on December and the holiday season with this post.
ReplyDeleteMay your holiday season bring joy and happiness to your house and family, Jama. As I baked for upcoming events I thought of the families who don't have food or presents to bring joy.
DeleteBeautiful entrance, Carol. That redbud will be beloved in the spring! I find I light candles much more in winter, bringing light into my home. I love the idea of the earth waiting patiently! Happy Sunday!
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you for always joining me here. I think of you often, especially when weather moves from your end of the USA to the east coast. I love my redbud. It reminds me of special trees I had planted in Long Island. I decided to adorn it just like my husband did each Christmas in NY. This time the gardener and his men did this for me because we did not want to damage the young branches. I want to apologize for not being able to comment on last week's blog of yours. I read it many times and sent 2 comments that never made it to your post. Your posts connect me to your so off I go now to read your words.
DeleteHow fun...December strutting a runway in evening wear. Of course, she would! Great sense of play in your introduction--but also how real is your remembrance of why this season we display light. Light on new trees...we keep hoping and honoring new life. There is so much to ponder here. Thank you, Carol. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteCarol, your prose read like poetry, and your poem is the tinsel on top! I enjoyed hearing about how you are bringing light to the holiday season, and I look forward to seeing your holiday décor.
ReplyDeleteCarol, that light in the darkness always reminds me that no matter how bleak and dark things may seem, there is always hope. I picture your lights as being a welcoming sign for all who see them. May you and your family have a Blessed and Merry Christmas. Bob
ReplyDeleteLovely post about light, Carol. I stopped when I read the quote by JFK and had to reread it, then copy it. "We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through the darkness to a safe and sane future" were encouraging and important words then and still are today. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAnother case of the vanishing comment. Not sure where it went. I loved your post and the way your mentioned the silence of darkness and the brightness of lights. I know there is much I can learn in the darkness by focusing and listening. My extroverted self prefers the bright lights. We had two redbuds on the front lawn of my childhood home. Always gorgeous when they bloomed.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned simplicity in Matt's poem, and I think it works beautifully in yours too. Here's to lighting the darkness...
ReplyDeleteThis is Margaret. You continue to create the home you want to have and the life light you want to be. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post on light. Your poem reminds us that we need to be patient.
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