The People Who Walked in Darkness

I have missed my Auntie and my friend so much this year.  Everything Advent and Christmas reminded me of them, bringing smiles and tears all at once.  I am happy to have many good memories of the lights they were in my world.

All of the songs and words this week tell the story of the light coming into the world to dwell among us.  To comfort us and be with us. 

Our choir in the frozen tundra spent several weeks trying to learn a complicated rhythm, singing “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”  We couldn’t quite get the feel of it and often laughed ourselves silly.  For years afterwards, when that phrase came up, it would send my friend and me into fits of giggles.

Last night, as I read our closing prayer,  those words were right in the middle of it.  Right where I’d read through three or four times without even seeing it.  Not seeing it at all until the carols were almost all sung and the descants had rung full over the congregation. Full in my heart and empty without her voice filling the chancel.  Not seeing it until I’d wrapped myself up in Christmas and missing.  Words that made me giggle with her made me weep last night.  Weep and smile and miss even more.

Merry Christmas! The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.   It is my turn to be light now.