Lighting Candles In The Darkness
And two poems by Howard Thurman
Dear Friends,
I wanted to send you a quiet moment of stillness and peace today. A gentle reminder to consider starting your day with a simple candle and an intention to be still, to breathe, and to become present to your own heart before you move into the activities of your day.
If you are feeling overwhelmed and frazzled by the expectations of the season, take a peek at my post from last December: NAVIGATING A COMPLICATED DECEMBER. In it, I offer ways to simplify, tend to your spirit in troubled times, and lower expectations in this overfull and complicated month.
Today, I wanted to talk with you about Advent and keeping your candle of hope burning.
Advent: The Art of Waiting
Advent—in the Christian tradition—is a sacred season of waiting. It is a holy pause before the story unfolds, a time when we light candles in the darkness and lean into the promise of love’s arrival: sacred, embodied, and real in the form of Christ.
Advent reminds us that this is not just a season for rushing to the end of the story or hurriedly checking off lists. Instead, it calls us to dwell here, now, with open hands and expectant hearts.
This waiting is not passive; it is a practice. A quiet invitation to prepare—not by doing, but by being:
Being present to the moment.
Being hopeful in the face of uncertainty.
Being open to the light, even when shadows gather.
Being steadfast, refusing to let fear or despair write the final word.
Advent whispers to us that in the stillness, there is movement. In the waiting, something sacred is unfolding. The small, slow work of love begins, unnoticed at first, yet steady and sure.
So we pause.
We breathe.
We trust: love is on its way, and love is already here.
May we live into this season with courage, creativity, and hearts full of hope. What are you waiting for this Advent? And how might you make space—gentle, quiet, expectant space—for it to arrive?
May your waiting be holy, your heart light, and your days filled with peace.
Xo Mary
Howard Thurman: I Will Light Candles this Christmas
From “The Mood of Christmas…”
—by Howard Thurman
I will light Candles this Christmas,
Candles of joy despite all the sadness,
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,
Candles of courage for fears ever present,
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,
Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,
Candles of love to inspire all my living,
Candles that will burn all year long.
The Work of Christmas
—by Howard Thurman
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.
Howard Thurman (1899-1981) was an author, theologian, philosopher, educator, and civil rights leader. In 1944, he helped found the Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples, one of the first racially integrated churches. He played an active role in many social justice movements. As a theologian and advocate of radical nonviolence, he mentored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and others in the Civil Rights Movement.
This month, a portion of our paid subscriptions will go to: Loveland’s Community Kitchen. Providing FOOD for people who are hungry, CONVERSATION for people who are lonely, REST for people who are struggling, and a VOICE for people in need.
© Mary Thoma 2024
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