Becoming Light in a Season of Darkness
As I slowly step deeper into fall, and acknowledge that the winter months are just around the corner here in the Midwest, I’ve noticed how quickly the sun slips away each afternoon. It always takes me a little while to reacquaint myself with the shift. It’s that familiar moment of, “Oh right, I’ve been here before.” I tend to resist the change at first but, once I settle into it, there’s something undeniably peaceful about fall and winter. The way the world seems to quiet itself. One minute it’s bright and the next it feels like evening has already arrived.
This transition always invites me into reflection, not only about the sunlight we lose this time of year, but about the many other forms of light that continue to glow around and within me
My husband and I were in Minneapolis recently for the opening of GLOW Holiday Festival. Maybe it was the timing, maybe it was the crisp air, or maybe it’s just that I truly love all things light, but walking beneath thousands of twinkling bulbs made me think about how deeply human it is to create light - especially in seasons of darkness. We instinctively gather around warmth, beauty, color, and connection. We soften our spaces with cozy lamps, candles, Christmas lights, or the gentle glow of a sun lamp on a cloudy morning.
Light shows up in more subtle ways, too. In a warm cup of hot chocolate, a shared meal, a pup curled beside us, a conversation that warms the heart. These, too, are forms of light.
A couple weeks ago, we went to the Notre Dame vs. Navy football game. The weather couldn’t decide if it wanted to rain or snow but before we left campus we made a point to stop at the grotto. Even in the drizzle, we paused to light a candle and say a prayer. There was something grounding in that small ritual. A reminder that seeking light is an act of faith, and sometimes even a whisper of hope is enough to steady me.
With Thanksgiving week upon us, I’ve been thinking about how gratitude is also a kind of light. It doesn’t erase the dark seasons of life, but it illuminates our path just enough for the next step. Gratitude softens the rough edges of days that feel heavy or hurried. It opens us up, warms the spirit, and makes room for connection.
And then there are beautiful truths woven throughout Scripture:
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” - John 1:5
Light appears hundreds of times in the Bible symbolizing guidance, hope, presence, and love. That’s no coincidence. Light is the language I believe God uses to remind us that we’re never alone, and never truly without direction.
So, as the days grow shorter, maybe this is an invitation not just to look for light, but to create it, embody it, and share it.
To be a soft place for someone.
To offer kindness when it’s least expected.
To reach out to someone who might feel dim inside.
To be a lighthouse for a loved one, or even for ourselves when the waves get rough.
And to tend to the small rituals that help keep us grounded, for me it's lighting a candle, saying a prayer, brewing something warm, offering gratitude before a meal, noticing the glow of holiday lights on an evening walk.
These little practices become gentle reminders of God’s love - steady, warm, unwavering.
My hope for you this week is that you feel surrounded by light in all its forms, and that you remember your presence, your compassion, your gratitude… they shine more brightly than you may ever realize.
Sending you warmth, gratitude, and a little extra glow today and throughout the holiday season.
Until next time - thank you for being here and sharing your light my friend.
