Darkness

One cannot ignore the pervading darkness this time of year.  Dusk arrives, a daily surprise, as the traditional work day ends.  Dinner feels formal in low light eaten under electric dimmer switch sponsored lights.  The envelope of night sky seals us completely in black by eight o’clock. 

 

Five entries define the noun darkness at dictionary.com.
1.  the state or quality of being dark:  the room was in total darkness
2.  absence or deficiency of light:  the darkness of night
3.  wickedness or evil:  Satan, the prince of darkness
4.  obscurity; concealment:  darkness of the metaphor destroyed its effectiveness.
5.  lack of knowledge or enlightenment:  heathen darkness

 

Both darkness and light offer their own gifts, but the longing toward light seems innate as does darkness’ connection to things evil or lacking enlightenment.  The absence of light renders sight difficult, often impossible, making opportunity for unseen thieves, unidentifiable predators, general vulnerability.     

Darkness is the topic of conversation for the season of Advent.  This dance between opposites is not new:  darkness and light have been in relationship since early people lived in knowledge and awe of the rhythms of Mother Earth.  Earth moves through winter darkness into light.  Ancient Celts prayed for the sun’s return with its life-giving light, warmth and assurance that Spring would come.  In contemporary Christian tradition songs of longing, waiting, patience, and hope still drift to the heavens. 

People discern that light comes to our world from a Source that offers itself freely.  In this awareness, people await the arrival of something important, necessary to our very existence, essential to dispelling darkness.  Whether we see the event to come as the arrival of a person, a season, or a powerful transformation that occurs inside each individual we have a sense of expectancy uniquely rooted in hope.  Hope much like the wait during pregnancy for what one cannot see growing in the darkness of the womb. 

Darkness during winter months and December’s longest night, the Winter Solstice, reminds us that not knowing has its own lesson.  Darkness says be patient and aware in the not-yet time.  Be attentive for light that comes.  The quest to light up darkness is tangible in our artificially illuminated lives.  The tougher quest may be to seek light in darkness in its representational evil or lack of knowledge.  In our not-having, wait a little longer times we have great opportunity to learn, to meditate, and to prepare for the Light our trust resides in.    

 

                         Darkness

                         dark deep in sightless soul un-light long, seek illumined hour

                         welcome warmth wrapping oneself with hides

                         skins borrowed for hunts and births

                         bring forth to learn comfort, songs beneath cold star shower

                         extended nighttime tells quiet awaiting Sun

                         still sky Solstice stretches December

                         day of Rome’s tenth month decreed as if they held power

                         divine yearning young eve knows so black

                         afore mortal man tried to scribe

                         sacred story named Source before language ere flower

                         gazed into the darkness and called forth

                         the Word was God. Light. You.