Dear Friends and Parishioners,
‘It’s light later in the morning and the nights are drawing in!’
Twice in the year we have an equinox, when the sun
is above the equator and night and day are of equal length. We
probably prefer the Spring equinox which signals longer days; after
the Autumn equinox, the days get shorter, as we will have noticed.
And it is harder to look forward to longer nights and the approach
of winter with the same enthusiasm as for spring.
Deciduous plants and trees depend on light and
warmth and close down in winter – the changing colour of leaves in
autumn is one of the visual delights of the season, though in the UK
winds and rain can mean that the delight is a short one! Once the
trees shed their leaves they can effectively hibernate until spring.
Sometimes, in the cold of midwinter, we may wish that we could
hibernate for a while!
Light is also important in our lives and light, or
its absence, has significant implications for us. Occasional power
cuts remind us of our dependence on light, and heating in winter.
The utility companies provide external heat and light at a cost, but
we need to look elsewhere for inner warmth and the warming of
hearts.
If we think about light, we may reflect on where
light first came from. The book of Genesis sees God as creator of
heaven and earth and also of light:
God said, “Let there
be light,” and there was light. And
God saw that the light was good. .
I was reminded recently of Holman Hunt’s painting,
‘the Light of The World’. The copy at St Paul’s has recently been
cleaned and this has brought out some details that were hidden. The
painting shows the
figure of Jesus preparing to knock on an overgrown and long-unopened
door, which can represent hearts that are closed. The door in the
painting has no handle, and can therefore be opened only from the
inside. The painting is inspired by the book of Revelation "
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my
voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person,
and they with me.
"
It is a poignant image and one that gives an invitation, and leaves to us to decide how to respond – whether to open the door or not.
Whether we believe in God or not, as winter approaches closed doors
can actually offer us an opportunity. Some people, particularly
those who cannot easily get out such as the elderly, may feel
isolated and lonely in winter. While the door may be closed, they
may welcome a knock on the door, to check how they are. Or perhaps
it is our own door that is closed – might we be able to open it for
a visitor, perhaps a neighbour, for a cup of tea?
Light is essential, but it can also be taken for granted. We trust
that day will follow night. But isn’t that light that is good in our
lives, also something that we can share? Moving from our busy hectic
world to sharing friendship through simple hospitality? An
opportunity to warm hearts?
From John Webster
Lay Minister