Candle Light
There isn’t much sign of it here, but in much of the world, Christmas is just around the corner. I had planned to write about doing my Christmas shopping at the local market, but in recent days candlelight has filled my reflective moments. For four weeks now we’ve been lighting our Advent candles and anticipating the celebration of the coming of Emmanuel, God With Us. 
But it seems that every year as the light of the candles increases, the darkness of the world pushes back, and this year is no exception. Last week almost 150 children and teachers were killed in Pakistan in a terrorist attack on a school. The young victims in their school uniforms looked just like our neighbor children. Only a few days later a similar attack took place in Nigeria. The faces of the dead African students reminded us of our former students and friends. I am a teacher, the daughter of a teacher, and the mother of a teacher. The world’s darkness is real.
Students and their families here in our town held a candle-light vigil in remembrance of their murdered comrades; you can read about it here: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-peshawar-school-attack-candle-light-vigil-held-across-india-in-solidarity-with-victims-2044908 Muslims around the world are in mourning and feeling anger and confusion at the violence that seems to characterize their religion. A recent NY Times editorial entitled “How ISIS Drives Muslims from Islam” pointed out that young Muslims are increasingly disillusioned and are turning to social media to express their pain. Just a few nights ago, at a neighbor’s home, a young man pulled out his cell phone and told us how he and all his friends are putting candle icons on their What’sApp, Facebook, and Twitter profiles as a protest against the violence perpetrated in the name of their religion. They are asking hard questions and finding few answers.
We light candles at this time of year as a reminder that Jesus is the Light of the World, and that because of His coming we never have to live in darkness again. But the darkness of the world is still around us, and it’s real. Candles also symbolize prayers; as we light our candles this year we pray for those who are trapped in that darkness. And may God use me, not only to light a flame, but to be one.
Posted in Uncategorized and tagged candle light by Lisa