From the desk of the rector
As the days grow shorter and the clocks move back, the temperature lowers. December 21 rolls around and we arrive at our darkest day. Depending on where you live in Canada you may only see but a few brief hours of sunlight. Despite these being the darkest days, winter has only just begun. From this point forward the length of sunlight begins to increase. Hope arises – the darkness will not continue to swallow up the light. Yet despite the coming new light, the temperature does not rise in the same way that light begins to increase. Hope for some wanes. Even as light begins to increase, we experience the depths of cold.
Scientifically we understand why…
You may be wondering at this point… or a few sentences ago, what this has to do with a Church newsletter. Hold on, we are almost to the point.
It has to do with the nature of water. How it works, and what its role is. Water has a high heat capacity, which means it holds a lot of energy. Through the summer months it stored a lot of energy and through the fall it slowly released it, keeping our days warmer although the sunlight was sparse. Although the air temperature drops due to less light and energy coming in, the water keeps the temperature up because of what it had received earlier.
Why is this important?
The Church is like water. As days grow spiritually darker, the Church continues to pour out love and hope to the world. In dark days we bear the witness of God’s goodness from what we have held on to. The Church brings to a dark, cold world, the love and warmth God has poured into us for such a time as this. We as the Church are called to hold onto and remember the grace we have experienced in life and to freely share those stories and experiences with others. These stories keep us warm.
Over the next few months there will be little light, but you are the voices of hope, you are the warmth that will help someone get through their dark days. Scripture reminds us to “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12).
There are many things in this world that bring spiritual darkness into our lives. We are the voices that remind others of hope. As the days get shorter and colder, remember you were made for such a time as this. As you see those around you struggling in their lives with hope, as you hear people sounding despondent, or as you see those who are alone, remember that you have a story of God’s love to share.
Yours In Christ,
Rev. David Matthews.