Winter Solstice, Newgrange Ireland

Trinity’s Rector, the Rev. Mel Schlachter shared the following poem-prayer from Edward Hay’s Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim.  With a minor amendment or two, it seems a fitting way to bring this Advent and Christmas season to a close.

The dark shadow of space leans over us
as we conclude this festival.

We are mindful that the darkness of greed,
of exploitation and hate
also lengthens its shadow
over our small planet Earth.
As our ancestors feared death and evil
and all the dark powers of winter,
we fear that the darkness of war,
of discrimination and selfishness
may doom us and our planet to an eternal winter.

May we find hope
in the lights we have kindled on these sacred nights,

Hope in one another and in all who form the web-work
of peace and justice that spans the world.

In the heart of every person on this earth
burns the spark of luminous goodness;
in no heart is there total darkness.

May we who have celebrated this Advent, this winter solstice, this Christmas, and this Epiphany,
by our lives and service, by our prayers and love,
call forth from one another the light and the love
that is hidden in every heart.

Amen, let there be light!!