Advent III

"Joy is a candle of mystery and laughter, mystery of light that is born in the dark..." (from Hope is a candle by Richard Leach, #15 in Sing the Story)

It's the third Sunday of Advent, and my moments of light today are snippets here and there --
   -- the light shining on Karen's head as she sang the solo during             communion
    --light from the stained glass windows dancing colorfully above             Wilma's head as she played the guitar
    -- Carmen's and my shared laughter as she stumbled over this             line in her blessing for me: "May your mouth be filled with                 laughter     ...  (from Psalm 126)
    --candles, fire, and laughter at Faith House
    --a just past full moon seen through the branches of the                        neighbor's trees
    -- lights on the Christmas tree we put up yesterday
    -- the wonderful illustrations in Julia Vivas' book, The Nativity,                 especially the angel, with his colorful, tattered wings and his             army boots

". . .laughter at hearing the voice of an angel, ever so near, casting out fear."  (from Hope is a candle)