As winter draws through the doorway, ducking its frosty head under the lintel, the days grow gray, colder, and, yes, darker. The lights of our homes conversely grow softer and more golden, and more lights begin to fill yards and trees to accompany the growing darkness. Within our homes, light glows and twinkles in the form of candles and holiday lights. Fireplaces crackle and whisper comfort. Porch lights burn against the early-onset evening shadows, calling family and friends home. The light spilling out from doorways promises warmth and welcome as doors are thrown open wide.

In the midst of the growing dark and cold, we can hold onto the Light this Advent season. The Light of Christmas came into the world, accompanied by a star for the Magi and a bright angelic chorus for the shepherds, but for Jesus Himself, His welcome was only the loving glow of his mother’s face and the gentle cradle of Joseph’s rough hands. In the darkness of that stable, the Light of love still shone brightly. As the darkness of winter sets in, may we fill our spaces with light that beams from love, compassion, and generosity. Even in all the dark and difficulty, there is still light to be found in the small corners.

There is the warmth of a proffered cup of coffee together with no expectation of the other person but their sweet company.

There is light in the card or gift that shows up in the mail to remind someone that they are loved and thought of.

There is the glow that comes to someone’s heart when they are told, “This beautiful thing reminded me of you”.

Just as the Light came on that dark, cold night so many centuries ago, a baby nestling into the warmth and love of His parents’ embrace, we can be a light in the shadows now. We can echo Love in all its different, compassionate forms. We can be the glowing doorway that guides a heart through the rough terrain of difficulty or at least gives them a space in which to rest and regain their strength. In that welcome into the light, we can echo the words of Jesus, in His invitation to  “Come…all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). We can make mankind our business and offer light into the growing, darkening cold.

Let’s hold our candles and lanterns high, those sweet lights that guide us and others to rest and peace, love and hope. Even for just a moment, a space to breathe freely in the light. Let us cling to that Light this Advent and always, and work to share our candle warmth with fellow travelers on this road.