As the end of Advent draws near to Christmas (and our holiday cheer percolates with the stress of what’s undone, done & to-be-done before Thursday) let’s take a moment to put all that aside.  Empty our minds of Christmas clutter and focus on meaning of this season.

“Arise & shine for the Light of the world is come… behold your God.”

I will never forget singing that refrain with the Holy Comforter St. Cyprian Gospel choir 20+ years ago… full sound in rounds resounding with vocal light that brightened the hearts of all in the church (including the choir!)   We also often sang another Gospel song by Thomas Whitfield entitled,“Walk in the Light.”  The lyrics are so relevant for Advent and every day of the year.

WALK IN THE LIGHT
Walk in the light, beautiful light,
come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright.
Oh shine all around us by day and by night,
Jesus is, Jesus is the light of the world;

Oh we shall walk in the light, beautiful light,
come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright.
Oh shine all around us by day and by night,
Jesus is , Jesus is the light of the world;

No need to worry, no need to fret,
all of my needs, the man named Jesus has met.
His love protects me from hurt and from harm,
Jesus is, Jesus is the light of the world.

If the gospel be hid, it’s hid from the lost,
my Jesus is waiting to look past your faults.
Arise and shine, your light has come,
Jesus is, I know that He is the only light of this world.

Thomas Whitfield (1954-1992)

“come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright...”

grace, peace & Beautiful Light

     Virginia

p.s. if you want to hear Aretha sing this one out, click here to catch a YouTube version:

http://youtu.be/VP5rOLzVBic