December days are short, hemmed in darkness. Grateful for a new liturgical year with its wisdom of waiting and preparation, we place new candles in the old Advent wreath. We light the first candle. Just the first. In silence, preparing to read the first scripture of the season, an old proverb rises in the heart: It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.
One violet candle during the first week of the darkest month. One candle of violet, not gold or red or white. One candle of penance and preparation. One silent signal of hope. It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.
It is better to light one silent candle than curse the noise of jingle bells. It is better to light one lone flame than curse a world dazzling in twinkling strands. It is better to fast before the feast but better as well to acknowledge that instant, constant celebrations speak of all human desire: for joy, peace and community. It is better to light one candle for early revelers than to curse the darkness of consumerism. It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.
It is better to light one candle for peace than to curse the darkness of a world battling for power, pitting neighbor against neighbor. It is better to light one candle in a season of political division than to curse a neighbor concerned with different problems and different solutions than mine. It is better to light one candle of conversation than to curse the contention clamoring for attention. It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.
It is better to light one candle than to curse the cold. It is better to light one candle than to curse the pain. Better to give one can of food than to curse the uncaring crowd.
It is better to light one candle of faith than to curse the doubt in my own aching heart. It is better to light one candle of hope than to curse the despair drowning the goodwill I want to to give and to receive. It is better to light one candle of love than to curse my enemy.
It is better to light one candle beside an empty manger. Better to ponder the promise that Christ goes to prepare a place for us, and if He goes, He will come again. It is better to light one candle and prepare a place for Him. Better to light one candle in faith that “One born on high will visit us.” It is better to light one candle in union with His purpose: “to give light to those who walk in darkness…to lead our feet in the path of peace.”
It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.
Photo by Davidson Luna on Unsplash
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