Casting light

Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
Feast of St. Thomas

The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in,
from this time forth for evermore.
Psalm 121:8

As we pull into the driveway it is difficult to see. The porch light has not yet been turned on. It was still daylight when we left the house on this errand and I didn’t think to turn on the light. But now as we head toward the longest night, the dark invades the late afternoon.

Later, around the dinner table we will light three candles on our Advent wreath and soon we will be lighting four. The candles are not only counting time. They are dispelling darkness. As the winter nights lengthen, we light more candles. One flame would be enough. One flame scatters the darkness. One flame reminds us that the Light is coming. The light that the darkness can never overcome.

That light is with us along all our ways, illuminating our steps, brightening daytime and nighttime alike, sending us forth and welcoming us home. That flame of love is about to be born anew, rekindled by angel choirs and shepherd watchfulness and our own hope.