Preparing for the Light - Weekly Holiday Assignment

This first week of December is when preparations for the holidays really seem to begin.  It is also the start of Advent, if you are Christian, and Hanukkah begins, if you are Jewish.  Regardless of your religious denomination, the weeks or days leading up to the holiday are filled with errands that must be completed, correspondence, phone calls, planning, and perhaps holiday shopping.

I love the holidays. The hype doesn't affect me at all- it is simply background noise. Don't let it distract you.

I love the feeling that blooms this time of year, despite the cynics who say we've all forgotten the meaning of the holidays- the meaning of the miracle of light in the dark.  Whether we are talking about the light that burned in the darkness for eight days when it should have lasted but one, or the Light of the World being born to lift us out of darkness, or the light we must keep burning within as the wheel of the year moves to the darkest night and the return of the light as the days grow longer, the season is about light.

Candles, menorahs, holiday decorations, our windows lit with warm incandescence against the dark night...

And, the love that is shared this time of year- families, friends, even strangers act differently- with more compassion for others.  Ignore the person in the mall parking lot who cuts you off from your space.  Remember all those people who are tossing change into the kettles of charities who really do work to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless.  That is light, too, shining at it's brightest.

Consider the faces of children as they play in the snow, wait in line for Santa, or hear the tale of their spiritual history. Memories are light in the darkness, too. Remembrance is a gift.

It seems fitting to me, that we work with photographs at this time of year.  Photographs are, by definition, a record of light.  So, we'll work each week for the month of Decmber, with assignments that you can use to pull content for your journals that is a an enjoyable task. 

Holiday Photo Assignments- week #1

Archives:

In looking through your archives of photos this week, cull for photos of the time of preparation for the light that comes in your tradition.  Look for the light of this time. Don't forget many families choose a tree at this time, or gather for Hanukkah, or attend church or school activities.  Perhaps this is when you decorated?  Maybe there are things you need to remember to feel the coming light?  Choose images to reflect that.

Photo Assignment:

Photograph some aspect of preparing for the light.  Preparation. in your home, in your life, in your heart.

Journaling:

Examine the concept of the light in your journal.  Look to your personal spiritual beliefs and your intuitive response to the idea of light being made manifest this month. Journal your thoughts.

 

Encourage anyone you know who takes photos and journals to join in recording the light.

 

 This blog will host weekly assignments like the one above.  In addition, you will find posts in this season of growing darkness on sharing the Miracle of Light.  

Comments

[Sharon Furner]

We love the light that shines through celebrating Santa Lucia Day. A tradition we shared every year with our five kids. And now they celebrate with their own children. Traditions, a beautiful way of seeing and experiencing light. Thanks for the prompt and thinking about this.

[debbiejl]

Thank you for these assignments! I love them... and find them so motivating.

[Jo]

Thanks so much for this prompt so freely shared. I'll do it. I love the topic which gives me focus as I build and work in an advent journal.

[ruth krening]

This is the best. I really want to be surrounded by light this time of year as there is so little daylight. I started decorating today and one of the things I was most excited about were some new soft lights that are battery operated. They can go anywhere!! Thanks for the prompts.......I will journal as well!!