The United States – it’s not very “united” these days. But then again, other countries are experiencing great division – families are experiencing fractured relationships – friendships are in jeopardy. There is a lot of darkness in the world – not just in the United States, or Ukraine, or developing countries, but here in this little Valley where I live.

The darkness is troubling yet I find hope in light.

I am grateful for the lighting of candles that forms an integral part of a number of traditions in various faiths and countries – like the Moravian Star. First introduced to children in Moravian schools as a geometry lesson in the mid 1830’s, it was soon adopted throughout many parts of Europe, the West Indies, Greenland, Suriname, Labrador, Central America, South and East Africa and in parts of India where Christianity was evident because of its representation of the Star of Bethlehem. What makes a Moravian star unique and distinct from other stars is its symmetrical shape which is based on a three-dimensional solid with flat faces, straight edges and sharp corners.

I hadn’t heard of the Moravian Star until it found its way into my life through my beloved Dutch-born husband, Hans.

Each year, I loved it when Hans would open the little box, put the pieces together and the Moravian Star was placed in our kitchen window during the Season of Advent. Though Hans died in 2016, he is still with me in many intangible ways – and through this Moravian Star still hanging in the kitchen window and lit during the Season of Advent.

Whatever we use — Christmas tree, Moravian Star, Menorah, string of lights across our window, candles in an Advent log, a single candle burning in a home/apartment in Ukraine where power and heat don’t work .. let us light a candle … discourage darkness. Let us shine light in the world … let us Be Light in the world.

© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry
@soulistryjune.bsky.social

© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry
@soulistryjune.bsky.social