I have been thinking a lot about light lately. Here in Pennsylvania, darkness comes around 5pm, and the days are often soft grey. The holidays bring a light to my life. And as I sit here, perched at the antique typesetter's desk where my computer rests, the fireplace is burning, the Christmas tree is lit, and warm lights make home cozy. I love the holidays.
My parents, even though I grew up with very little, made Christmas absolutely magical. Beyond our Christmas lists to Santa, which they made happen by scraping and scrimping , the magic came with stories and making decorations- afternoons spent coloring Christmas pictures which we cut out and hung up on windows and cupboards, talking, traditions, my mom's attention to detail, holiday baking and holiday planning. The whole month was made of magic. That magic was a gift in itself- that experience of magic, and one I want to be sure to impart to my children.
I believe in Santa. I always have. And when I was nine and discovered the truth, the magic wasn't lost. My mom explained thoughtfully, carefully, that I had become part of Santa. As the oldest, I was now part of the making magic for my brother and my sisters. I became part of the storytellers, and the voice of affirmation to keep the innocence of believing alive. I saved pennies and nickels and bought candy for my siblings' stockings- walking to the store to choose Christmas themed things each time I had collected enough. I returned soda pop bottles for change, and did little chores. I was excited to make Christmas. In doing so, my mom kept a part of my innocence intact. I still have that. The magic lives on in my heart.
I grew up Catholic, complete with Catholic school, and Christmas pageants and Midnight Mass. The Nativity and the miracle were part of my school day. We learned about the Bringer of Light into the Darkness and what that meant to the world. We learned about Hanukkah and the miracle of light as the God of the Old Testament made the oil burn for eight miraculous days instead of one.
As an adult, I find I consider growing up Irish Catholic being a child of a particular culture. My spirituality has changed since those years when I stood in a grey and maroon plaid jumper in the close warmth of a filled pew of children and heard the words of the Gopsel of Luke: In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered...All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Much later in my life, I experienced God, or my higher power, personally. I heard my name called in my heart. It changed me forever. I grew from that to believe that the Divine rests within me. I believe that it rests within each of us, and while we may recognize that Divine voice by different names, it is Divine and inside each human, giving us infinite value. That Divinity, that Light rests in all of us.
While it may be summer for some of you, it is the holiday season. For me the holidays teem with Light. The decorations, the warm incandescent glow of lamps in the house, my fireplace are obvious ways the light is manifest. Less obvious ways may be the reflection of Light on the faces of children, the glow of a candle flame in the glass of window, on the feeling of touching others in just a tiny way as I drop coins into a Salvation Army kettle or pin mittens to the Giving Tree. Just small acts, no righteousness about them, that we do to help others that seem to multiply at this time of year and add to the Light that grows.
You know, the Yule log was burned on the hearth at Winter Solstice to carry us forward from the darkest night of the year into the growing light. That log, never purchased, but gifted or grown, warmed the home and the spirit. I think the lights of the holidays do that for us. The lighted candles of the Advent wreath, used in the Catholic tradition, glow with anticipation, as each week a new candle flame joins the others until the Light arrives in the form of one small baby boy. Menorahs are lit to remind us of a miracle of light and faith. The porch light goes on, as we wait for family and guest to arrive. Luminarias line porches and sidewalks and streets to light a path.
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For the next nineteen days, December 14 to January 1, please join me as I put up one photograph prompt each day - meaning an idea for you to make a photograph around. We take many photos during the holidays, and those photos form a wonderful treasure trove of memory and light. Let's add to that light with intention. These are a small and simple gift to you and to the light within you.
Photographs themselves are a record of light, and so, are a fitting way to record the Light, however it surrounds or fills you at this time of the year. Each day, I will post a prompt- a concept- an idea for you to keep in your mind. Tuck your camera in your pocket or your bag. Take it on an evening walk and to gatherings and out shopping. Look through your archived images- all those jpegs you have stored and photos you have tucked away (use your scanner) for images that fit the prompt.
Use the prompt as a jumping off place to journal, and add your photo to your journal page. Post on your blog if you want. Please feel free to link to this post and share this idea with others. Here's the link:
http://gryphonsfeather.typepad.com/the_poetic_eye/2009/12/-the-light-of-winter.html
Below is the first prompt:
Today, December 14, the prompt is the Light of memory, the light of remembrance.
THIS is a very nice gesture. Thank you!
From the light in me, to the light in you.
-Briana
Posted by: Briana | 12/14/2009 at 01:45 PM
I will try and join in. The interesting thing is I borrowed a new book yesterday from the buddhist library. I remembered it from before when I found that author. I brought it home it's called 'The Light in the Dark' by John Tarrant. I remember that my light is not inhibited by the physical world. I am.
Posted by: Colette | 12/14/2009 at 02:38 PM
What a lovely idea and a splendid way to take a moment during these very busy days to pause, to collect and treasure the light and dark of the season.
I hope you don't mind but I think that the idea of telling older siblings that they have become "part of Santa" is absolutely brilliant and wonderful and I plan on adopting it for my family. Thank you, thank you!
Posted by: Andrea Saujani | 12/14/2009 at 03:23 PM
How beautiful! Thank you for sharing such wonderful memories!
Posted by: Chris Kalina | 12/14/2009 at 05:58 PM
What a lovely post about Christmas and your rememberance of it from childhood. I may try and do some of the photography prompts...I didn't see this until late today. Peace and Light and a blessed holiday season!
Mary
Posted by: Mary | 12/14/2009 at 06:04 PM
Thank you for your wonderful gift and sharing your memories. Your prompt is perfect for today, Hannukah the Festival of Lights.
Posted by: Mary G. | 12/14/2009 at 10:52 PM
Lovely post and very inspiring. I hope to accomplish all the prompts, even if I'm not, um, prompt in posting them :-)
Today's photograph is HERE. Thanks for the creative push!
Posted by: Lennie | 12/14/2009 at 11:37 PM
I don't think my link worked...here it is:
http://alphabetsoupstudio.blogspot.com/2009/12/light-of-memory.html
Hope that works!
Posted by: Lennie | 12/14/2009 at 11:38 PM
Hi Lori. I love your leading us into the new year this way.
Here's my response to your first prompt the light of memory
http://tearose.typepad.com/treeamber/2009/12/the-light-of-memory-of-remembrance-.html
Posted by: Colette | 12/15/2009 at 05:47 AM
very very beautiful. it is good to "hear" from you again, good to see your tree, your warm cozy house and home. sending you love - xo
Posted by: nina | 12/15/2009 at 02:42 PM
What a wonderful post! I have strayed from my religious upbringing but have found myself during this holiday season looking for a connection to the Divine. I love the image of God resting inside of me - that maybe I have strayed but God hasn't. Thank you for the reminder!
Posted by: Randi | 12/16/2009 at 02:55 PM
Your post about your upbringing resonated with me - glad I found these prompts - thank you! http://4ravens.wordpress.com/2009/12/17/the-light-of-winter-photo-prompts/
Posted by: Megan Warren | 12/17/2009 at 09:28 AM
I stumbled on to your site and enjoy the journals and the idea of posting images about light. I have been working on a solstice project for a number of years. this year it is photos of my pots with things from my garden. If you ave time check it out.
http://www.catherinewhite.com/rough-ideas/
Posted by: Catherine White | 12/19/2009 at 02:12 PM
I love your idea LK and like to join.
I started a new, bought journal, the photos left and the journaling (in Dutch) on the right. On my blog I only place the photo.
Here is my first prompt entry: http://images.punt.nl/index.php?r=1&id=568868&tbl_archief=0#568868
Posted by: Jolande | 12/22/2009 at 03:11 PM