Come Darkness, Come Light

It is no coincidence that we mark the birth of the baby who is said to bring light to the world just days after the winter solstice, when the hours of daylight are the least and the darkness seems to overwhelm us. Christianity came into being in the northern hemisphere after all. Our Christmas celebrations centre on joy, laughter, good times, lots of food, and good fellowship. Our expectations are high and are just as surely doomed to be dashed.

Last year I came across the following Christmas Carol by Mary Chapin Carpenter. The words are especially poignant as she addresses both sides of the Christmas celebrations. There will be years when darkness seems to overwhelm our lives whatever the reason. It may be sickness, loss of a job or a loved one, loneliness, estrangement from friends or family. Whatever the reason, it puts us on the outside of the celebration, just wanting to be left alone, in the dark. She brings us all into the circle not requiring us to change, to pretend to feel something we don’t, but drawing us in just as we are . . . (There’s almost something biblical about that…lol..)

Come darkness, come light

Come new star, shining bright

Come love to this world tonight

Alleluia

Come broken, come whole

Come wounded in your soul

Come anyway that you know

Alleluia

Come doubting, come sure

Come fearful to this door

Come see what love is for

Alleluia

Come running, come walking slow

Come weary on your broken road

Come see Him and shed your heavy load

Alleluia

There’s a humble stable and a light within

There’s an angel hovering and three wise men

Today a baby’s born in Bethlehem

Alleluia

Lyrics by Mary Chapin Carpenter, 2008

If you would like to hear this carol, you can click on the link below.

https://youtu.be/gbP4BrmcKgU

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