Darkness and Light
I couldn’t resist the image. As the world reaches its tipping point and the days grow ever darker, we are preparing for the return of the light. We might have shifted the day a bit and turned our focus away from the sun to the Son, but the idea remains the same. The traditions haven’t changed much even if their interpretations have – we drag evergreen branches into our homes and deck them out with candles to represent our hope in the light. This symbolic return of the light is so powerful in the collective human unconsciousness that the celebration of the incarnation of God naturally must occur during this season. It’s Christian, it’s Pagan, it’s beautiful and it is true.
There is something hardwired in our souls that pushes us towards the light. We rejoice in the light and yearn for it as darkness continues in steady progression. At the Winter Solstice we affirm that light will always overcome the darkness – returning to bring new life on this earth. At the Summer Solstice we simply give thanks for the light we have (as opposed to despairing that the darkness is returning). Our deepest desires are manifest in this longing for the light – for comfort, for illumination, for hope. It is simply part of who we are to seek out the light.
The yearnings of our souls for light find confirmation as we remember the birth of “the true light that gives light to every man” (Jn 1:9). Our circles of candles burn ever lower in our attempts to ward off the encroaching darkness by anticipating the advent of light. The soft glow of twinkling lights on boughs of evergreen give testimony to the eternal light vanquishing the darkness. We deck the halls with our intimations of the light, for there can never be too many reminders that light will always prevail.
So joie be to you as you anticipate the return of the light.
For more entries in this Synchroblog on “Darkness and Light as Motifs of Spirituality” enjoy these sites -
Phil Wyman at Phil Wyman’s Square No More
Adam Gonnerman creeps around “In Darkness”
Lainie Petersen at Headspace
Jeff Goins is “Walking in the Light with Jesus”
Ellen Haroutunian at Light is Coming
Julie Clawson walks through Darkness and Light
Kathy Escobar will Take a Sliver Anyday
Susan Barnes at a book look
Joe Miller thinks you can Discover Light in Darkness
Beth Patterson talks about Advent: Awaiting the Ancient and the Ever New
Liz Dyer says What the Heck
Sally Coleman muses about Light into Darkness
Steve Hayes with the Lord of the Dark
Erin Word writes Fire and Sacrifice
Josh Jinno with Spiritual
Motifs of Darkness and Light
julieclawson(at)gmail(dot)com 
And here I was getting up and thinking wow, it’s light at 5:00 am, and then realising that we are nearly at shortest night, and soon the nights will start getting longer again.
Good Thoughts Julie.
Here is South Africa we can
“At the Summer Solstice we simply give thanks for the light we have (as opposed to despairing that the darkness is returning).”
I wonder what Summer “pagan” Solistice practises are–we just seem to copy you guys up North?
This really resonates with me, I really find the darl difficult, and need to take steps to avoid seasonal depression… bring on the light!
Sally – I’m with you there. I am seriously enjoying being back in a southern climate this year.
I love Advent for this reason. Thanks for sharing. nice to see a fellow OOZE blogger. Love your blogroll, as well. I’ll be back here soon!
Thanks for your reminder to rejoice in the season of light.
Interesting post, Julie! Appreciated the tie in between the natural world and the liturgical one!
May I use the ‘card’ on my site? I really like it!
Thanks–
thanks for sharing, julie. i so agree with you, the pull toward the Light is so powerful! kathy
Hi Julie–didn’t see your response about the image, so it’s posted on the front page of the Virtual Tea House, attributed to your site, but with unknown origin!
Let me know if you want me to change any of that…
Thanks!