The theologian, author, educator and civil rights leader Howard Thurman writes:
“I will light candles this Christmas.
Candles of joy despite all the sadness.
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch.
Candles of courage where fear is ever present.
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days.
Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens.
Candles of love to inspire all of my living.
Candles that will burn all the year long.”
After all of the excitement and celebrations of Christmas, I often feel one of the challenges we have as people of faith is how to keep the
experience, the hope, the peace, the goodwill and the love present all the year long.
Recently on a drive up the North Shore we stopped at the Temperance River and braved the cold weather to walk down by the falls. I was amazed to see an open area of water at the
bottom of a waterfall with round pieces of ice floating around in a circular motion. It seemed that the chunks of floating ice would hit the outer portion of the open water and the contact of the two would smooth out the rough edges of the ice chunks and make them round. Even though the temperature was frigid, I stood there watching and thinking about rough edges and smooth circles.
In spite of feeling cold to the bone, I “pondered” people and life, and rough edges being made smooth.
For me, that is what happens at Christmas. The rough edges of life, and people and experiences smooth out a bit. If we allow it, the Spirit of God once again opens up our life and our world, and offers more joy, hope, courage, peace, grace and love.
As we move into this New Year, perhaps we can light candles to remind us how God’s great gift of love/light was and is made known to us. Then we can smooth out our rough edges and become carriers of that Light bringing kindness, compassion, hope and care to ourselves, others and the world.
Peace and Joy,
Pastor Cindy