COFFEE BREAK 387

+ Advent: Day 21 and the Winter Solstice + Today is the reason for the season, the day when darkness prevails more than on any other day here in the Northern Hemisphere. But just as that happens, the days begin to get longer. And the light never leaves us. Here at the 43rd parallel we still have 9 hours between sunrise and sunset. Tomorrow we will gain a few seconds. After a few more days minutes until the Summer solstice when there will be 15 hours between sunrise and sunset. The solstice happens today at 12:11pm EST. So, even today we begin to get more light, not less. The darkness which has been gaining ever since June is now on the way out.

So, why is today the reason for the season? I am a Christian. I follow Jesus. But I know that the light which we all need so much is not restricted to Christians. Jews and Muslims and Hindus and Buddhists and Taoists and Native Americans and people of all wisdom traditions are people of the Light, are Holy. Jesus said: I am the Light of the World. He also said: "You are the Light of the world." Be the Light. Shine. That's the reason for the season. Light overcoming darkness. Joy overcoming pain. Peace overcoming violence. Humans becoming humble and respectful and compassionate and gentle. That's the reason for the season. This is HUGE!

Here is wisdom from the Gospel of Thomas:

His students said to him,

"Take us to the place where you are,
since it is necessary that we seek for it."

Jesus replied,

"Whoever has ears, let him hear.
Light shines forth from a being of light
and illuminates the whole cosmos.
The one who fails to become light
is a source of darkness."
(Logion 24)

I continue to receive so much inspiration and illumination from this e-course on Advent and the Gospel of Thomas which I am taking at http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com which is also offering fantastic quotes for each day of Advent and Christmas on Waiting, Patience, Hope and Joy.