As daylight savings time ends and night falls earlier and earlier, the cool evenings find me cozied up in front of a fire way too early. I once disliked the time shift because my energy level drops in darkness. I felt guilty that I was sitting rather than checking tasks off my list during December. This Christmas, God taught me not to fret about the shortened days, but rather to see the darkness as a gift.
Qarrtsiluni is a word in Inuit culture meaning “sitting together in darkness waiting for something remarkable to happen.” It’s further explained as the “anticipatory quiet before a momentous happening.
Qarrtsiluni.
Isn’t this what Christians everywhere are doing during Advent? We’re figuratively sitting together in the quiet darkness anticipating the momentous event when our Savior comes humbly and quietly in the night.
Sitting in darkness makes room in our hearts for Jesus. It allows us to let go our tasks, our resentments, our worries. It’s a time to anticipate His arrival, once again, bringing the gifts only He can —hope, peace, love, and joy.
During this season of shorter days, my wish is that you embrace the darkness, that you see Jesus in the starlight, firelight, and candlelight. I’ll suggest to you what a friend suggested to me:
See the darkness as the shadow of God’s presence.
Get caught up in His presence. Linger a bit longer than usual. His door is always open and He waits there, with arms opened wide.
When Jesus spoke again, he said,
‘I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.’
(John 8:12 NIV)
See the darkness as the shadow of God's presence, and embrace it. #Advent #Christmas Click To TweetWhat task can you let go to make more room for God?
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Thank you for making darkness seem a time before the light dawns and good comes instead of when the bad things happen. Even when we don’t see it, God is always working. The world had no prophets for six hundred years until Christ was born. That’s a long time! Yet, God always keeps His promises. I also reminds me of Micah 7;8, “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.” Even in darkness, the Lord is my light. What a good God.
I love that passage from Micah. So full of confidence and the assurance that God keeps His promises. That’s faith. It’s a good place to be for sure.
I love the coziness of this season and the glow of Christmas lights. Perhaps God designed our bodies to get extra reason in the darker season. Enjoy. Merry Christmas, Candyce!
I love that idea, Nancy. And I love how the season slowed for me as I lingered in the darkness longer than usual rather than being a slave to my to-do list. The pauses allow space in my soul for joy, hope, love, and peace.
Merry Christmas!
Seeing the darkness as the shadow of God’s presence–surely this is the truth because God is always with us. Thank you, Candyce.
Yes! And in our darkness, He draws us closer never forgetting or forsaking us.
During advent we are indeed waiting for something remarkable to happen. I love this thought. It turns the darkness from something dreadful into something magical.
Merry Christmas!
It’s all about how we choose to “see”, isn’t it? With His light, we see more clearly — even in darkness.
Merry Christmas!
I always dread the loss of daylight time and the earlier hours of darkness, but your message is a reminder to use that time to watch and wait for our Savior. He comes to dispel the darkness and bring us Light, but we can use the darkness wisely to prepare our hearts for Him. The bright side of standard time is more morning light to promise the gift of a new day. Wishing you a blessed Advent and Christmas, Candyce and family.
I like the point about more morning light. I hadn’t thought of that. I’m usually calmer and more at peace after a night of rest – a fine time to welcome a new day
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Enjoyed the encouragement you give in this post so much Ms. Candyce. Indeed, we are waiting together in the darkness for the light to come. Maranatha! We know that morning always comes my friend; and you are so right; awaiting the light is advent. God’s blessings and thank you for this inspiring post.
I used to grumble about the shorter days JD, but I’m okay with them now. There is joy to be found in every season, every moment, every breath.
Thanks for your encouragement!
I love this approach to darkness, Candyce. It helps us see the value of the light we wait for. Thanks for sharing the special meaning of the word Qarrtsiluni.
I find that word so interesting Barbara. I thought of writers waiting for inspiration when I first read about it. And then of course it’s what we’re doing when we wait to hear from God. I call it prayer by listening.
Lovely thought 🙂
Thanks, Jennifer! I’m glad you stopped by.
Enjoy your readings.
I appreciate you saying that, Mary. I love hearing from readers!