D is for Darkness

[kurt_messick]

We have a tendency in our society to equate darkness with evil, negativity, bad thoughts, bad happenings. And, indeed, there is some validity to those feelings – there is more peril at night than during the day; there is more confusion.

Woe to those who yearn for the day of the Lord!
What will this day of the Lord mean for you?
Darkness, and not light!
- Amos 5:18

This is a strange, enigmatic statement. Aren’t we waiting for the light? Aren’t people supposed to be hopeful? Why does the day of the Lord mean darkness?

Darkness isn’t good, or so conventional wisdom goes.

However, darkness isn’t all bad? As Matthew Fox discusses in his book Original Blessing, those things we think of as negative often have positive aspects. Think of the darkness of underground, where the seed takes root and flourishes. Think of the darkness of the night that allows you to rest. Think of the darkness of the womb, and what miracles take place there.

Adorn yourself, O cavern.
Make yourself ready, O manger.
O shepherds and magi,
Bring your gifts and bear witness.
For the Virgin is coming
Bearing Christ in her womb.
- Thomas Hopko, from an Orthodox hymn

Through the darkness we wend our way through life. Through the darkness we seek each other. Through the darkness we stumble. Through the darkness, however, we grow.

Scientifically speaking, there are few instances in nature that are truly dark. Darkness is really a relative term. Hence the biblical/hymnodic phrase takes new meaning:

Darkness, to you, is not darkness at all; the dark and the light are both the same

I’ve known blind people who have had incredible senses. I remember once a friend went into a room and turned on the light and was startled to see someone else sitting there. It was a blind person, who of course did not have the habit of turning on a light when entering a room. When the power goes out for her, it is not as inconvenient. There is strength in that.

Look for ways in your life that darkness can be empowering. The light is important in relation to that.

I shall post a brief meditation each day, following an acrostic method (A for the first day, B for the second, and so forth) for each day of Advent. I hope you'll join me as I work through various feelings and thoughts this Advent season.

[amykhar]

OK. You finally stumped me. I couldn't think of a good picture for this one.

Amy

[kurt_messick]

I was wondering what you might pull up for this one.