Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Proclaim: To Praise or Glorify Openly

The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:5 ESV


On Halloween, a profound sense of holiness and awe came over me. As the holiday season approaches, my heart yearns for the sacred One.
We often associate Halloween with darkness, goblins and ghosts and candy. Yet the word hallow merged with eve means holy night. The word holiday has become common enough, yet I see holy plus day in there, and I remember that each day can be filled with the distinctive character of God.
As I pursue a season of rest and solitude, this slowing down of the pace and this shortening of days that pours in more darkness than light, I am strangely comforted. My heart desires to wander through the shadows and see if there is any good in the dark.

As I contemplate the holy entrance of winter and Thanksgiving and Christmas, I discover this quote over at Seasons with Soul:

“Humility, like the darkness,
reveals the heavenly lights.” Henry David Thoreau

And a deeper appreciation for darkness invades. A longing to comprehend how the contrast of dark and light mingle. How a light entered the world and overshadowed the darkness. A miracle of light playing off the night sky, a star leading us to a Savior.

Words taken apart, distilled to parts, broke open a fresh perspective—a need to embrace the holy, the sacred, to sing with hope a carol of redemption. To proclaim a Savior’s birth. To fall on my knees in humility.

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
 
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
 
(John Sullivan Dwight)
 
 
Linking with:
 


Word Filled Wednesdays

8 comments:

  1. I love your perspective, so full of hope and wonder :) You make me feel even more expectant for all that is to come in the next few months.

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    1. Lori- Thanks for stopping by...and for your kind words...hope and wonder...that is what I am longing for...thanks for giving me those words.

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  2. Such a thoughtful, fresh perspective. I really like how you think. And how you write. Just beautiful. So glad you've linked.

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    1. Jennifer- Thanks for coming by...its a joy to share...I feel honored to have your kind words here...I admire the work you are doing over at Getting Down with Jesus...

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  3. Beautiful, truly. You touched my heart.

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    1. Lisa- Thanks for stopping by...I visited your blog, tried to comment, how it goes through...I enjoyed the circle of gathering around the word of God and your photo of the fountain.

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  4. I so love the Holy-Days ahead... My favorite time of the year to be sure. O Holy Night is one of my all time favorite songs. Wonderful and delightful post :)

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    1. Thanks Kathleen for stopping by...yes this is my favorite time to curl up with a warm cup of coffee and contemplate the miracle of God WITH us...I plan to meditate on the words of this hymn the whole season...

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