Light in the Darkness

“At the darkest moment comes the light.”
~Joseph Campbell

One of my favorite things about this time of year is all the little lights glowing in the darkness.

In our home, I have loved creeping into our living room before anyone else is awake, turning on the little white lights of our Christmas tree, and sitting in the soft glow as I sip my coffee and wake up to the day.

Like moths to the light, the rest of our family has been gathering there more often too. Throughout the month of December, we all seem to find reasons why we need to be together, huddled around the fire, our kids often nestled on throw pillows on the floor near the tree. We read books, play music, surf our devices, and have created a number of traditions and rituals that take us to the glow of the light.

Regardless of what religion we are or what climate we live in, there seems to be a longing for light when the days are darkest.

This time between holidays and New Year’s Day seems to be its own space claimed for peaceful stillness—schools are closed, businesses are quieter, and friends and family gather to enjoy the light of one another.

As we near the start of a new year, a time so often focused on goals and outward motion, these days seem to be carefully orchestrated as a time to rest, reflect and prepare.

Like caterpillars still in their chrysalises, we have a sense of being in the in-between. Expectant waiting. Something is happening inside each of us, even if we don’t realize it.

Something good is coming–something bright and light, filled with potential.

Something new will be birthed through each of us this New Year. What it will be, we may not fully know. But it is coming, just like the longer days of spring.

As for now, we can rest peacefully in these last few days of the year, gathering in quiet, restful expectation.

“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.”
~Etty Hillesum

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Photo credit: © 2017 Laurie Smith.