Good morning…
A dear friend regularly drops off poems in my mailbox at Northside Church. He slipped in a few important ones this week, poems I picked up following yesterday’s loving funeral. These words struck me as essential for this day, for these challenging times, for this unique season of life.
As I light a candle in the center of our living room, I relate to the many moods expressed by Howard Thurman, American author and philosopher, theologian and mystic, trusted educator and civil rights leader. I am warmed by the wisdom of Thurman, whose influential lifetime extended from November 18, 1899 to April 10, 1981. The Mood of Christmas itself was published by Thurman in 1973, exactly fifty years ago.
Describing our innermost experiences of this day at hand, Thurman’s voice whispers strong and true. There is joy despite all the sadness. Might hope really dispel all of this despair? Fears are ever present and courage pushes through. Feeling tempest-tossed, deep inner peace actually does stabilize. The grace of God quietly eases our heavy burdens. Love, everlasting love, inspires all of our living. Many moods burn through us all, all year long, decade by decade. Noticing and naming, healing what we feel, we honor the flow of each mood with the glow of candlelight.
As the Light of the world ignites the candle in the room where we live, darkness gradually burns into light. For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness (Psalm 18:28, KJV). This moody Christmas season, might we trust God to light our dark, quiet moment by quiet moment, night after night?
…Sue…
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