"The people who
sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region
and shadow of death Light has dawned." (Matthew 4:16 NKJ)
Today is the longest
day of the year. Tomorrow the days start lengthening again in anticipation of
spring and summer. This is a good day to bring all our pains and sorrows before
the Lord. Some churches offer a "Longest Night Worship" event. With
all the recent violence across America, we need such events as outlets for our
extended grief.
Even at home we can
initiate a private event. We begin with the lights dimmed, but not
extinguished. To maintain the Christmas spirit, we spread green sheets or
tablecloths over a table centered in the room. A large white candle is placed
in the center of the table nestled among red poinsettias or an Advent wreath.
Despite our grief and sorrow, we remind ourselves of hope, peace, joy and love.
Gathering our
hurting loved ones around us, we begin with a Christmas carol and read a Psalm,
including an appropriate devotional. Then each person is given a taper candle
and encouraged to light it to commemorate a personal loss.
The lighted candles
are then placed in a container of sand, appropriately filled and sitting
nearby. Our candles light up the darkness memorializing what Christ's birth did
for humanity. And it signifies that we who sat in the darkness of death and
grief can be transformed in the light and life of God's love. At this point, we
turn up the lights and sing another Christmas carol.
The longest night
can be a time of emotion and tears, but we have the assurance that despite it's
length, it will end. So too, the light of Christ's birth signaled that the long
eons of waiting had ended.
Joy to the World,
the Lord is come! Let every heart prepare him room! Let all of heaven and
nature sing! On this longest day of the year, we are confident that death and
darkness has been defeated. And the truth of God's light dawns upon us in
Christ's birth.
Dear Father, thank
you for your love and light. Empower us to let go of our grief and enjoy the
light and love of Jesus Christ. I pray this prayer in the name of Jesus, our
Lord and Savior. AMEN
Be strong and
courageous today in the dawning light,
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