The magificent Salisbury Cathedral in Britain begins the season of Advent with an evening service which begins in total darkness. The choirs process in with candles and eventually 1300 candles are lighted as the source of illumination for worship. I don't know that I would put attending this service on my Bucket List, but I would love to experience it.
A group of colleagues chatted about Advent recently, the challenge of moving toward Christmas with patience rather than being goosed along by the commercialization of the season. There is also the pastoral responsibility of supporting those who are struggling with this time of year because of the physical darkness of our Northern Hemisphere home and the emotional darkness of events which rob them of "good cheer." Brightly lit malls and "all Christmas music, all the time" just don't do it for a lot of people.
The refrain of Bernadette Farrell's song Christ Be Our Light is meaningful at this time of year.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Do you look forward to the passing of the solstice and the lengthening of days? Does forced jollity get you down? What and who lights your way through Advent toward Christmas?
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