This year, darkness becoming longer and daylight shorter, has bothered us more than usual. Bob and I have become used to enjoying leisurely, late lunches after all our work is complete, then going for walks in the evening. Lately, there are often signs that it is getting dark even during lunch, and we have had to readjust our walking schedule or take a flashlight! I need to work harder this year to remember that God created both darkness and light.

I am GOD, the only God there is.

I form light and create darkness,

I make harmonies and create discords.

I, GOD, do all these things (Isaiah 45:6-7 The Message).

When we take a late evening walk in Brandon Park, we get to enjoy the beautiful lights. (It is interesting that I have seen a couple trees that I hadn’t noticed in the daylight.) Every day there are also more decorations in our neighborhoods that often draw my attention to other new things. There is much to notice in the darkness. Perhaps:

A light in your kitchen assuring you that supper is cooking.

A light by an easy chair beckoning you to read the newspaper or a book.

A porch light awaiting someone’s arrival or providing safe travel for others.

The flickering blue light from the TV inviting you to watch the news or relax watching a show.

A nightlight providing you with extra security.

A light at the neighbors’ house, affirming that all is well there.

Even a flashing red, blue, or yellow light to alert you to danger or need.

Living along High Street, I’ve always used those flashing lights as opportunities for what I call arrow prayers. A quick prayer for safety, healing, reassurance, or gratefulness for our emergency responders. Yes, God is there in dark places. And God calls us into action when someone is in a dark place.

Darkness is a term we sometimes use to describe our inability to understand something. We say we are “in the dark” about someone’s motives or schedule. When we can’t see things around us because it is dark, we feel less secure. It is in the darkness that we unwrap our loneliness, sadness, heartbreak, and painful memories. When you struggle to find peace in the dark places of your life, know that God is there, holding and comforting you with steadfast love.

I smile when finding in the dark that there are things for which we had only hoped. When I was a child, alone and worried in bed, the comforting voices of my parents were like lights shining in the darkness. Now I find God.

This poem reminds me that our God brings us joy, hope, courage, peace, grace, and love into all the dark places of our days. Howard Washington Thurman (1899-1981) was an American author, philosopher, theologian, mystic, educator, and civil rights leader. This is from his book: The Mood of Christmas:

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.

Rev. Gwen Bernstine serves as pastor of Lycoming Presbyterian Church, now nested in the Chapel of Covenant Central Presbyterian Church.