The Night Sky

As most will know, we just experienced full moon three days ago. Due to the weather conditions, with little to no cloud, we have also seen a good deal of that moon. One early morning I was aware of the moon shining in various rooms in our home. The moon literally lit up through roof lights, on the silvery road (frost also a factor), busy with traffic by day, largely quiet in the early hours. In one window the moon shone on the window sill and directly into another.

Although astronomy has never been a particular passion of mine, the sky on this particular night was extraordinary and very inspiring.

Our world, and sometimes our own lives, can be beset with challenges. As followers of Christ, Advent is when we seek to put aside our busyness and look for light in the world. Each Sunday (in Advent) has a different theme and usually the first week considers hope.

At our Advent Study group, the leader for the session shared with us a song called Hope was born this night. It provided us with much to explore and consider as we prepare to enter this season of preparation for the light of the world, Jesus Christ. One person shared that they had not been not been looking forward to the Christmas season, but said that the song had led them to change their mind, and they would now happily put up a Christmas tree. It was a great session thanks to an inspired choice of song to focus on minds on the Advent season.

The night sky brought home for me again how Christ is the light in our lives for those of us who follow this religious path. I won’t forget in a hurry the beauty and wonder of the moon on that night. It also brought to mind a song by Bernadette Farrell, Christ be our light.

For Christ is our light, not just at Advent and Christmas, not just when the skies our clear and the moon is shining brightly. No, Christ is our light, all the time, every day even when what is going on in the world, or in our lives, blinds us in the short term.

CHRIST BE OUR LIGHT

In deepest night, shadows are lifted
Now let your servant go forth in peace
Your Word fulfilled, your promise honored
Love that will never cease!
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts
Shine through the darkness
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today
With our own eyes, we see salvation
Within our hearts, we are set free
Your Word made flesh, hope of the nations
Light for the world to see!
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts
Shine through the darkness
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today
Christ, be our hope! Christ, be our purpose!
Christ, be our vision, radiant and bright!
Christ, be our Way, shatt'ring our blindness
Gifting us with your sight!
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts
Shine through the darkness
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today
Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts
Shine through the darkness
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Bernadette Farrell
Christ, Be Our Light lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC