Finding Light in the Dark

Laura McLeod
Dec 30, 2025
3 min read

As we close out the year, we also close our December theme of Celebration. And, what a month it’s been!

From the joy and generosity of Jingle Jam to the warmth and meaning of our Solstice and Christmas Eve services, December gave us the mental equivalent of what’s possible when we all show up fully. As I mentioned in my announcements on Sunday, if you missed these, you must be sure to mark your calendars for next year, because these events truly embody the magic of the season.

To all of you who participated in some way, whether volunteering, inviting friends, sharing your talents, or if you just (no small thing) brought your presence and energy - thank you. I’m deeply grateful. Memorable moments like these don’t happen by accident. They happen because people say yes.

Finding light in the darkness

It’s fitting, then, that we ended the month with a talk titled, “The Light in the Dark.” Sure, celebration is bright and joyful. And, it also invites us to notice what sustains us when it isn't quite so clear. Light isn’t something we wait for, it’s something we are, something we actively look for and connect to, within ourselves and each other.

Candles lighting a path in the darkness — We can light our own way

In Science of Mind philosophy, we say we create the lives we want to live. That doesn’t mean our lives unfold without challenge; it does mean we participate in shaping our experience. Intention, trust, and responsibility work together. We can light our own way.

During her talk last Sunday about finding light in the dark, Rev. Pamelagrace paraphrased a saying from the Muslim tradition that captures this: “Trust Allah, but hitch your camel to the post.” In other words, know it's true - and do the work.

One of the useful reminders from Sunday’s talk was that our emotions, while real and meaningful, don’t have to be in charge. Emotions tell us something’s up, but they aren’t often instructions. We don’t have to follow every feeling, we don’t have to take on the emotions of others as if they’re ours to manage, and we don’t have to believe everything we think or feel.

This discernment is practical spirituality. To borrow from Rev. Colette Mercier, our minister emeritus, pausing to ask, “What’s mine to do?” gives us permission to step out of people-pleasing patterns that drain us. Also Rev. Collete, we can "stop, notice, redirect" when we experience something that isn't serving us.

Feeling All the Feelings

And yes, within the festivity and joy, some of us experience more tender feelings during the long dark days this time of year. We may have attachments to how things 'should' be, or how we want them to be. Or wish they could be. Expectations, memories, and emotions may surface. While it may seem like we don't have control, we do have a choice about how we want to respond. Remember, emotions aren't instructions. Instead, ponder, sit with, and give these space to unfold. That’s how we heal.

Remember: We can hold both the dark and the light at the same time.

Rev. Pamelagrace mentioned several of our practices - contemplation, intention-setting, meditation, our five-step prayer, journaling, visualization – we can use to reconnect with the light when it feels dim. We are also reminded that we don’t have to know how everything will unfold; we only need to align ourselves with the "what" - the energy and direction we want more of.

Continually Showing Up

I’ve had the opportunity to connect with more of you this season, in a variety of ways. From more events and volunteer opportunities, to rides here and there, to connecting online, by phone, and by text, I feel more connected than ever. That connection is special.

I’m grateful, too, for how we’ve all shown up for each other, in our own ways, on our own time. We are each our light in the dark - when we show up.

As we close out the old and step into a new year, this feels like the perfect time to get intentional about what we’re illuminating next. I hope you’ll join us for Rev. Marilyn Sprague’s 2026 Year of Illumined Intentions workshop next Sunday. It’s a chance to pause, reflect, and consciously set the direction you want to move toward, grounded in clarity and supported by community.

The light is us. And we get to choose it, choose us, again and again.