Light and Darkness

Contemporary Lesson
Amazing Peace by Maya Angelou

Hope is born again in the faces of children.

It rides on the shoulders of our aged s they walk into their sunsets.

Hope spreads around the earth, brightening all things,

Even hate, which crouches breeding in dark corridors.

A Lesson from the Prophets Isaiah 9: 2-7

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined. ³You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder. ⁴For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian. ⁵For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire. ⁶For a child has been born for us,
an infant given to us; authority rests upon the child's shoulders;
and the baby is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Parent, Prince of Peace. ⁷The child's authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and the nation of Israel.
The child will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness
from this time onwards and for evermore. The zeal of our God will do this.

Advent Prayer “Canticle of Light and Darkness”

We look for light but find darkness
for brightness, but walk in gloom.
We grope in our own blindness;
we stumble at noon as in the twilight.
You are the light of the world; be light in our darkness, O Christ.
Blessed be your name, O God, for ever.
You reveal deep and mysterioius things;
You are light and the darkness.
Our time of darkness is passing away
and already your light is shining.
You are the light of the world; be light in our darkness, O Christ.

--adaptation from "Canticle of Light and Darkness" © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House.