There is not enough darkness in all the world
To put out the light of even
One small candle Robert Alden
Advent is one of my favourite times of the year. As shadows lengthen and dusk falls earlier every day, I fondly remember dark winter nights in Pennsylvania. I have a variety of fond memories of my time in Reading, PA, my first Advent there being one of them. In my mind’s eye I see the gentle glow of electric candles in the windows of many a home. Imagine I’m driving along a pitch dark road, snowflakes dancing in the headlights. The road is lined with stately homes, and some kind person has placed a welcome light in the windows, warming my heart with its gentle glow. These candles signal a readiness to engage with the world outside the confines of the home. They are a sign of welcome for the passerby.
Placing a burning candle in a window is a common tradition in Pennsylvania that dates back to colonial times. Even though it may not be customary to place candles in the windows where you and I live, there are many ways of lighting a candle to welcome a stranger, of whom there are many wherever we live. We are living in pretty dark days, and I am not talking about the darkness of a winter’s night. Despite this darkness lurking in so many places, let us not give up on kindness or beauty or justice. No matter the headlines, no matter how dire things seem, let’s remember the light always returns – always. We are to be carriers of light, and if we are, let us heed Eleanor Roosevelt’s advice, “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”
During Advent, many of us will mark this season of hope by lighting candles on our Advent wreaths, demonstrating the strong contrast between darkness and light. As once again we prepare to welcome the ‘Light of the World’, let us spread light wherever we are, welcoming the stranger amongst us.
Guest Blogger Sr. Magdalena Vogt, cps