Reflections

We get used to it. It happens every year. As winter approaches in our northern hemisphere, daylight hours grow shorter. (What a strange way of saying that - grow? shorter???) But it’s true. Summer turns to autumn. Long afternoon shadows and darkness fall silently upon the land. I call it my “cozy-up-time” and try to take advantage of a quieter, slower pace — a form of hibernation. I like to curl up into a little ball with a cup of hot tea (or Theraflu, it depends) and take a rest. (It is not always possible). But it’s a fleeting period of time, and I know it won’t last. Part of a natural cycle that will in due measure give way to brighter days. The hard crusted earth will shift, tremble and begin to “breathe” with new life. As old as I’ve become, I still marvel at the miracle of the passing seasons. How in the world can a seed that is frozen in the ground or a tree that is barren become awakened and flourish once again? That Life Force, the Creative Power, though invisible to my outer eye, indeed remains a mystery to me. I see this with my inner eye as a strong metaphor for the Divine Command that came to us through Jesus whose Advent we celebrate during these wintery dark days. As a Bahá’í, one of my favorite Bible passages is when Jesus proclaims, “I am the light of the world, he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of life.” This is the changeless Faith of God; eternal in the past, eternal in the future.

And now I need a few moments alone to “curl up” with my cuppa to ponder this deeply. Feel free to join me.

Kay Larson,

Member of the Wrangell Bahá’í community