When Light Crowds Out the Darkness

The first time I celebrated the Christmas season at Cherith Brook was in 2018. During our morning reflection, we read and reflected on the song, "The Canticle of Turning." I had never heard the song before and was struck by the powerful way Mary announced what would happen - at the end o f each stanza, she says," for the world is about to turn." At Cherith Brook, we get to witness the world turning - light crowding out the darkness, showing us a way forward. This time reminds us that a new kind of community is possible: where everyone belongs, and everyone's needs are met.

The world turns in tiny moments, like a mother and her three rambunctious kiddos coming i n for our Thursday evening community meal. Mom was stressed, had no place t o go that night, and was fleeing a violent situation.