I Will Light Candles

I Will Light Candles

Our theme for Advent is “How Does a Weary World Rejoice?” The first two Sundays of Advent through our time of worship we have been ruminating on finding joy in the simple things in life that come to us through God, and also, finding joy in our connection to others. In other words, we can all find joy in something in life if we are intentional in our search. Culture tells us that now, especially in the month of December, we should be joyful. It is not a command, but it certainly is an expectation. Yet, on Monday, at a meeting, I was reminded there are people around us who do not anticipate this season of the year with great excitement. For them, it is not a joyful time. Rather, it is painful. The aching heart and grief of a loved one who has passed; the chronic illness that will not pause or even let up during the month of December; the family member who refuses to speak or even come home for a visit; these are just a few scenarios of people dealing with circumstances where they find no joy right now. Their feelings are legitimate because of the burdens that they bear. Still the question is ever before us. “How does a weary world rejoice?” As Rev. Sarah Speed said in her poem by the same title as our theme, we rejoice “soul by soul and day by day”. Sometimes that means that it is up to us, the ones who do find joy in this season of the year, to share the light of Christ with those who are in dark places. Preacher, Writer, Poet, and Scholar Howard Thurman wrote a poem about sharing that light in deep and difficult moments in life.

I Will Light Candles This Christmas

 I will light Candles this Christmas,

Candles of joy despite all the sadness,

Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,

Candles of courage for fears ever present,

Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,

Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,

Candles of love to inspire all my living,

Candles that will burn all year long.

 In a weary world let’s light our candles of joy, hope, courage, peace, grace, and love for the month of December, and for the whole year.

Peace, Josie