Lighten Our Darkness
Have you ever noticed how many of our Epiphany hymns have texts that sing of light and stars? The symbolism of light overcoming dark is ancient and pre-Christian, and has to do with the shortness of the days and the ancient fear that each day would get shorter until the sun would disappear completely and never return. People waited and watched, hoping the sun would rise again after the winter solstice, and it did, and they rejoiced. Christians adapted pagan customs and beliefs into their new religion; Christ became the light of the world, vanquishing darkness. The coming of the wise men symbolize the light of Christ going out to the gentiles, to the entire world. Hymns such as "Brightest and best of the stars of the morning", "Christ whose glory fills the skies", "What star, is this with beams so bright", "The people who in darkness walked", and "How bright appears the morning star" fill us with a sense of light in the dark time of winter. And so, we lighten our own darkness with songs and words of light.
Lynn Gardner, Organist/Choirmaster
