Light has come

Welcome. I have a confession to make - I am a mole. Or at least my family think I am. 

Don't worry, your secrets are safe with me. My mole-like characteristic is to shun the light.

If it can be dimmed, turned off or softly lamp-lit instead then I'm all for it.

My M.E afflicted eyes are hypersensitive to bright light of any description and it can cause physical pain at times.

But there is one light I am irresistibly drawn to time and time again:

The Light of the World: Jesus Christ

Instead of an unwelcome glare, there is healing, hope and safety here.

"You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light" ~ 2 Samuel 22:29

Darkness only serves to make the light shine brighter

In this Advent season light is very much in evidence. We see it in the Christmas lights twinkling on the tree, bright public decorations or the softer glow of candlelight.                                                                                                             
I'd like to add my piece of light by sharing a  reflection on the Christingle Service (Do click on the link for more information relating to its adoption in England and how it is celebrated) that takes place during the Advent season in many churches.

Christingle literally means "Christ Light" and is a service of light and ceremony, of song and symbolism, of celebrating the Hope and Joy that is found in Christ.

In the dark of Winter, the coming of Christ, the 'Light of the World' is a powerful message of hope that is for every season and for everyone.

Although I don't belong to a church that celebrates Christingle, our youngest son, Sam, was a Cathedral chorister once upon a time and I used to enjoy participating in the Christmas services there, as well as in various Church of England (C of E) ones I have attended over the years. 

This reflection is viewed partly through the lens of memory and partly through my imagination. 

'Light has Come'

"Shafts of scattered light pick out patchwork patterns of jewelled fragments dancing with vibrancy - stained-glass images through which we read a story still ringing true.

Polished pews we dutifully slide off, painfully kneel on hard woven hassocks wrought with love and devotion, the warp and weft of history recording human and Divine encounter. Readying ourselves to add our links of adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication to the ongoing chain of prayer.

Incense wafting in the air already heady with floral scents, sputtering gas-lit lamps, candle wax dripping hotly onto brass; tang of orange-scented globes thrust high in sweaty palms.

Angelic voices rising and mingling with the coughs, chokes and mis-timed notes of Congregational singing. Songs of adoration, praise in celebrating Mystery beyond our understanding.

Procession trailing, gently swaying robes sweeping the floor as eyes turn to watch them passing by and catch a glimpse of choristers - bold and shy - following the vestmented few.

A pause in proceedings, a sniff, shuffle, sighed "Excuse me" as we file forward, released from our seats, now participating in homage paid to the Nativity scene where all sojourners meet.

Finding a babe in the manger, an infant serene, as His mother Mary quietly observes Him, pondering deeply all that has been. These are our representatives of Your love come down - to celebrate the wonder of Your kingly crown set aside for earth's suffering: The God-head revealed in humanity shared.

Now You make Your home with the hurting, the broken, the lonely and lost. No longer confined to a manger, a stable, a desert, a cross. You are out in this world, slipping into its streets of shame to rescue the desperate, the hopeless and helpless - society's rejects accepted and loved - forever welcomed, made new, received by Heaven above.

So we make room in our hearts and lives for You too as we ponder these things as Mary would do. Then we take what we learn and share it around, because everyone deserves to come Home safe and sound. Back to the place we used to come from - back to believing we truly belong. Back to Your side and back to Your heart. Forever to stay and never depart."

"There are two ways of spreading light:to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it" ~ Edith Wharton

Pause to ponder:

In this Advent season what does light symbolise for you?

How can we be the light for others?

In this post I am linking up to Tanya Marlow's Advent thoughts Do check it out and join in the reflections and comments.