{"id":26,"date":"2023-12-13T02:47:54","date_gmt":"2023-12-13T02:47:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ruthbonetti.com\/myblog\/?p=26"},"modified":"2023-12-13T07:03:24","modified_gmt":"2023-12-13T07:03:24","slug":"lighten-the-darkness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ruthbonetti.com\/myblog\/2023\/12\/13\/lighten-the-darkness\/","title":{"rendered":"Lighten the darkness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

‘In dark times there are those who curse the darkness and others who light a candle.’ A Hanukkah message from Rabbi Sachs tells of the miracle of the oil.<\/a>  <\/strong>
A Jewish mystic said ‘It only takes a little light to drive away the darkness.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Light blazes out the symbol of hope in the dark month of winter solstice; the four candles of Christian Advent, nine for Jewish festival of lights, Hanukkah. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ST LUCIA DAY 13 December<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Sweden (and other Scandinavian countries) celebrates the festival of St Lucia near the winter solstice and shortest day of the year. Saint Lucia was an early Christian Martyr killed by the Romans in 304 CE. She secretly brought food to the persecuted Christians in Rome, who hid in catacombs under the city. She wore candles on her head to keep both hands free so she could carry food.<\/p>\n\n\n

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When Queensland Youth Orchestra toured Italy we arrived in Rome. The first day, after an exhilarating glimpse of the Coliseum, we visited catacombs. The musty aroma mingled with small hand held oil lamps lingers in my mind. Imagine living in the dark underground, hungry, fearing persecution! Seeing the flickering light of a candle, smelling fresh baked bread…   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swedes gather in a still dark morning. The sound of singing draws near, \u201cNatten g\u00e5r tunga fj\u00e4t…\u201d (The night walks with heavy steps) as the room slowly lights up from the candles in Lucia\u2019s light crown and the candles held by her maids.
\u2014 Watch here<\/a> \u2014 All wear a white gown, with a red satin belt around their waist; men and boys called stj\u00e4rngossar, star boys<\/em>, join the choir. They serve coffee, gl\u00f6gg<\/em> (mulled wine), saffron buns, lussekatter<\/em>, and gingerbread biscuits, pepparkakor<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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In Burn my Letters<\/em>, I described my first white Christmas in Sweden’s snow. We lived a few winters near the Arctic Circle, where the sun straggled out around mid-morning only to disappear early afternoon. Eureka! we understood the reason for candles on Christmas trees and cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hear a narration<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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ADVENT LEADS TO THE BIRTH OF CHRIST<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Four candles are lit on consecutive Sundays. Derived from the Latin word \u201cadventus,\u201d the word Advent means ‘arrival’ or ‘coming’ \u2013 of the Christ child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n