On Dark Days, Make Your Own Light

Laura McLeod
Dec 16, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Dec 16, 2025

As we approach the Winter Solstice, we enter the darkest season of the year, at least by the calendar here in the northern hemisphere. And yet, everywhere we look, there's light. Christmas lights across rooftops, Hanukkah candles in windows. Solstice fires. And figuratively, the lightness of Festivus.

It's a curious and meaningful contradiction: when the days are at their darkest, we're called to make our own light.

I've pondered this since listening to Rev. Michael's talk on Sunday, A Season of Light. His invitation wasn't just to notice the illumination around us, but also to turn inward, to reflect and let our own light shine more intentionally.

Our Own Hero and Heroine Journeys

Rev. Michael also reflected on the themes we've explored over the last four months at CSLB (you can view or revisit them on YouTube!), which echo the Hero's (or Heroine's) journey he talked about: wisdom, prosperity, gratitude, and now, celebration.

Together, these are also foundational patterns within our own lives, where we're called away from what's familiar, tested in ways that stretch us (and may be painful), and eventually, we're invited to return, changed, wiser, and more connected. Joseph Campbell taught that these stories endure because they mirror our own lives.

He also talked about holiday movies... one of his delights this time of year, and another example of the Hero's Journey. They're a little sentimental,

usually predictable, and yet, they still manage to move us every time. Beneath the twinkle and the happy endings (always a happy ending...), they follow the familiar arc: someone gets stuck, something cracks open, and love finds its way back in - the hero’s journey, wrapped in tinsel, reminding us that change is always possible.

And as Ernest Holmes reminded us, “Life itself is a grand spiritual journey.”

(Member Brenda Campbell shared her own hero’s journey – a journey that took her across the country and back again, when she came to her own truth that there’s no place like home. You can watch the whole service, including Brenda’s “My Message”, on YouTube.)

Christian Mysticism, Tragedy, and Hope

Rev. Michael tied this beautifully to the symbolism of Advent candles — hope, peace, joy, and love, reminding us that light isn’t something we wait for, it’s something we practice. Especially when the world feels heavy. Especially when disasters, loss, or uncertainty ask more of us than feels fair, like the flooding across Washington state.

What stayed with me most was this: there’s no separate light we’re waiting to receive.

The Divine is not apart from us, it is us.

In the darkest moments, the invitation is not to look away, but to listen more deeply, to trust the quiet voice within that says: you are enough, and you are not alone.

Rev. Michael asked some brave questions:

What would we do if we knew we couldn’t fail?
Where am I being invited to trust more deeply?
How can I let my light, imperfect and human as it is, serve love?

The music on Sunday carried this truth in a way words alone couldn’t, reminding us that light moves through many forms, among them sound, silence, community, presence.

I was also especially aware this Sunday of how much light lives through us. In the announcements, I shared a brief tribute to David Wood, someone who brought his light to us in so many ways. Remembering him at this time of year is evidence that the light doesn’t disappear; it changes yet continues in a different form.

This season, may we remember who we are. May we release fear where we can. And may we keep choosing light, again and again, because in truth, there is only love.

CSLB Business Updates

Senior Minister Search It’s time to begin preparing for a new senior minister. We’re looking for members who feel called to be part of the selection process to step forward. I won’t sugarcoat it. Having done this before, it’s a big commitment and yet, meaningful work. You’ll learn about yourself, play an important role in Center leadership, and be part of CSL Ballard’s legacy.
Letter of Call
Rev. Michael’s Letter of Call has been extended through June, 2026.
Jingle Jam Gratitude
Kudos to everyone on the Jingle Jam team, but especially to Guy Nelson for making the magic happen on stage, wrangling the talent and shaping the program, and to Juniper Rayne for wrangling volunteers and making sure every detail was covered for a festive and fabulous event. So many others contributed in ways large and small. You know who you are, and we couldn’t do this without you. The third annual Jingle Jam was a success beyond measure.
Meaningful Movies
Meaningful Movies returns tomorrow night (Thursday, Dec. 18) with Plastic People. Plastic has taken over the planet; learn why it matters, what’s being done, and what we can do. The post-film discussion is always thoughtful and engaging.
Year-end Council Work
Your Core Council is busy with end-of-year tasks, including ensuring everyone knows the status of their 2025 pledge and building the 2026 budget based on pledges received.
New Brochure
Our Practitioners created a beautiful new tri-fold brochure about Spiritual Mind Treatment. Many thanks to Gary Ninneman for leading this effort. You’ll find copies in the seatbacks on Sundays (and soon on the website). Please take one, or more, to share with friends or family who may be curious about who we are and what we do, or even if you need a refresher. On that note, be sure to sign up for the Foundations class that starts in January. It’s another great refresher.