The Light of Peace

The Season of Light is upon us. Hanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Solstice. This is the time of year when the light returns to earth. This year its official return is marked on December 22nd at 1:08 AM (EST), 6:08 (UT).

In the Christian calendar, these next few weeks are called Advent. Christians welcome the advent of the light each week by lighting candles. One of the precious memories of my childhood is my grandparents’ many-windowed home each with a single lit candle at the time of the holidays.

The Jewish menorah is all about light. Kwanzaa ritual includes candle-lighting.

Holding peace as an ever-present, genuine possibility contributes to the return of the light on our planet.

Will you join me this year in lighting an evening candle for peace?

Choose your evening. Include family and friends. Make the time for ritual. Ritual serves the purpose of stopping our always-going lives.

Could one of the children write a poem about peace?

Is there a song or music that brings you peace?

What foods make you peaceful? Homemade? Local? Ordered in?

What drink?

What candle or candles?

Are there colors you find peaceful?

Should each person offer a wish for peace? For themselves? For one another? For the planet.

In order for ritual to be meaningful, those ritualizing create their own meaning. There are no rules, per se, only intentions. Set your intention to assist in creating peace on earth, and then let your ritual flow from that. Do your ritual on the lead-up to the Solstice, or maybe even Solstice night, and sleep in heavenly peace.