The Dark of the Year

Here we are

 with the dark evenings

suddenly having taken that leap forward they always do

when we put our clocks back an hour.

 

The curtains are closed early.

 

Some of us embrace the darkness
 at Halloween;

disguising ourselves,
 in an ancient attempt to fool the dark forces,

and pass unrecognised and unharmed

 through it's ranks.  

 

I write this on Guy Fawkes Night and the bonfires are blazing

 and the fireworks cracking the night open

 as we take another tack,

arming ourselves,

 defiant against the dark

by gathering to warmth and light of our own making.

 

 

I was reared in the blackout nights of the second world war,

when we scurried between our neighbours houses and our own

on the unlit Welsh hills.

Family ghost stories engrained in us,

 lending panic.

 

It seemed to my child's mind that God must be other than this fear and darkness.

 

Somehow or other grace led me to long for the Light I knew must God,

and to be filled with this Light.

 

In my childish way I pictured a lantern,

 and asked to have "clean glass" 

for His light. 

 

Amalfi lanterns

 

Many years later I found the words which confirmed His nature and His promise.

"I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life."

John 8:12

 

And, incredibly, his promise to us of our share in His light and life.

"You are the light of the world.

A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl,

instead they put it on a stand,

and it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way let your light shine before men,

that they may see your good deeds

and praise your father in heaven."

Matt 5:14-16

 

The offer is complete. 

 We so imperfect, and ordinary in ourselves can be part of the light in a dark world.

 

Knowing myself as I do

It seems impossible

 but we are not meant to measure ourselves by our own yardstick,

but by a light of love beyond measure.

 

It is for us simply to give ourselves to the Light and Life of God

as much as we, by grace, are able.

 

I love these words of Tagore, and have often prayed them.

 

Let only that little be left of me whereby I may name thee my all.
-----Let only that little be left of my will whereby I may feel thee on every side,
and come to thee in everything, and offer to thee my love every moment.
-----Let only that little be left of me whereby I may never hide thee.
-----Let only that little of my fetters be left whereby I am bound with thy will,
and thy purpose is carried out in my life - and that is the fetter of thy love.

 Gitanjali  Song 34

 

I cannot think of a better way to face the dark of the year,

or the dark of life

can you?

 

Blessings