Articulating the Darkness

In the introduction to Darkling:

Advent is not about the bright glare of festivity; it is about the lonely, flickering candle. It is a time to reflect, to slow our pace, and to hunker down while the cold winds blow. During Advent, we do not beat back the darkness. We acknowledge it. We wait within it. We listen to what it has to say. We do not fight the lengthening nights - we welcome them.

God of darkness,
Spirit of winter,
Angels of the long night -
grant us the strength of vulnerability;
help us to dwell in the places of waiting;
help us to listen to what the shadows are saying.

And here an article on why we need to make the world a darker place. I am glad that we live in a Dark Sky reserve, and can see the Milky Way clearly most nights.

Gratefuls:
- utterly glad that Eden, our four month old granddaughter, appears to be OK, after a seven hour wait in A&E yesterday (and the Jedi has had a sip of juice)
- a surprise visit from G & M, our Swedish friends, bearing gifts, including a sparkling, lit up angel (Margreth loves angels)
- getting my Portuguese driving license application sent off (for the third time), with all relevant documents (at one point, thought we'd not manage it); Mike still needs another test in Évora, rebooked for tomorrow