On this, the "darkest" (or "shortest") of days in the Northern hemisphere, I am thankful for light. I'm excited that it's going to get light from here on out. But I'm also thankful for the light that we have. On Saturday we had a couple of hours of brilliant, sunshiny light and I was so happy! (I go to work in the dark, come home in the dark, and--unfortunately--seldom get to be outside during daylight hours, so weekend sunshine is a gift.)
A few weeks ago Rachel mentioned what a blessing it is to celebrate Christmas right by the winter solstice. Of course, historically, that is why we have it now (not because Christ's birth was really in the winter). And it's true--music, and lights, and color, and kindness, they all light up what would otherwise be such a dark, dreaded time and instead make it a delightful, looked forward to time.
In general I love lights [a topic for another day, but I am incredibly thankful to have been born in a time/place of electricity] and turn as many on as I need to have my space BRIGHT! But since I put up my Christmas tree, I've kept my other house lights turned off as much as I can. The darkness in the room allows the tree to truly glow and sparkle and fill my heart with delight. (it's a small, simple tree with red ribbons and white lights. And a few candy canes).
Thinking about the tree in my darkened room, thinking about festively celebrating the Savior's birth during the darkest week of the year, thoughts have been growing in my heart. I still don't know how to express them, to pull them into coherent, English thoughts. But there's a growing recognition that sometimes the Savior's atonement does shine brightest in the dark times in our life. That a knowledge of His condescension (oh, how I have understood that more and more and more), which is what is principally celebrated in his birth, is a glowing, delightful knowledge during the darkest days of our years.
I'm grateful for the Christmas season and the common celebration it brings. I'm grateful for my pretty little tree. And I am grateful beyond expression for the Savior's birth: for the Son of God, the great I Am, condescending to come live a mortal life so that he could fulfill his Atoning, exemplary mission. And I truly rejoice in knowing that God the Father kept his promise--made before the world was even created--that he would send a Savior to redeem us in this journey. As He will keep ALL promises.
It is the light that fills my winter solstice with the light of hope and peace.
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