Darkness to light

Advent is coming          Darkness to light

         Last fall, just before Advent, for the first time, after a summer filled with biking, hiking, tennis and  great summer sunsets, I found myself depressed. The clocks changed and it seemed almost simultaneously the  days got extra dark extra early. I think this would be called a seasonal depression. All the late day activities that enriched our lives were shut down seemingly in an instant. What scriptural passage can adequately convey the darkness that nature is showing us now and that we can feel deep inside. This is the season we are forced to embrace right now. What are we to do?

         This is the essence of life recognized by the ancients in the winter solstice, celebrated in Hannukah and Christmas.  We seek out the light, we await the birth of a new light and each society recognizes this.

           To almost anyone and especially to a gay person hiding in the darkness of a their own closet, that darkness can be unbearable. It affects their whole lives, their self worth, every fiber of their being. Darkness is never good but yet it is a part of life that we recognize at this time of year. What we wish to embrace is the movement to light.

       Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of the light, a time of preparation for the birth of the Christ child, a time for personal movement from darkness to the light God wishes for all of us. Can we find the strength to come out (into the light)? Can we find the dark corners of our lives, no matter who we are, straight or gay, and come into the light of love of Christ? Are we willing to work at our own personal re-birth,  our own embracing of the light - the Christ child?

          Let us take a day at a time until Christmas to reflect and find the courage to come out into the light for whatever darkness you are in.