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 burn all the year long.
This poem was written by Howard Thurman, who knew so much about pain and injustice, about poverty and prejudice.
Christmas can be a challenging time for many people, especially those grieving or bereaved, and those facing real poverty in this country today. I am also so conscious of all those places in our world where people face danger, war, famine and disaster. Bethlehem, where Jesus was born, is just one of those places.
Yet the poem also speaks of Hope, Joy and Courage. It speaks of lighting candles in dark places, bringing light and peace, love and kindness.
As we pray for peace and for justice in our troubled world, I pray too for light and joy in our homes and in our hearts, as we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ our Lord.
May God bless you this Christmastime.