"Waiting in the Dark, Emerging in the Light: A Seasonal Invitation to Reflect"

As we stand on the threshold of the winter solstice, when the longest night of the year gives way to the gradual return of light, we are offered a unique opportunity for reflection. This moment, which coincides with both the beginning of Christmas and Hanukkah, invites us into a season of waiting, growth, and transformation. In these moments of darkness—both literal and metaphorical—we often find the most profound sources of light and healing.

The winter solstice, when the Earth’s tilt gives us the longest night and the shortest day, symbolizes the depths of winter's stillness. In this time of darkness, we often look inward. And it is here, in the silence of waiting, that growth quietly occurs. Whether through the ritual of Christmas, the lighting of the menorah for Hanukkah, or simply the passing of time, this season emphasizes the balance between light and darkness.

We in healthcare know the gift of light. Light has a profound impact on our physical and mental well-being. According to Dr. Richard Wurtman, a scientist who studies the effects of light on the human body, the amount of natural light we are exposed to has a significant effect on our mood and energy levels. During the darker months, reduced light can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), impacting our mental health. Yet, even in the depths of winter, we experience the gift of light. The Effects of Light on the Human Body (Wurtman, 2020) underscores that light plays a crucial role in maintaining our overall health.

Whether it’s through the glow of candles, the shimmer of festive lights, or the twinkling stars above, these sources of light offer a tangible connection to something greater. The human body is intricately linked to the rhythms of the natural world, and just as our physical bodies require light to thrive, our souls also long for it. By incorporating light into our spiritual practices—such as the lighting of Advent candles, Hanukkah menorahs, or simply a quiet candlelit moment of reflection—we can rejuvenate ourselves, both physically and spiritually.

Spiritual traditions have long used light to symbolize hope, wisdom, and divine presence. In many ways, light serves as a reflection of the soul’s journey from darkness to enlightenment. Both winter solstice, Christmas, and Hanukkah teach us that light is born from darkness. In nature, this is symbolized by the return of longer days after the solstice, but the same principle applies to our inner lives. The quiet, still moments of darkness often serve as the birthplace of profound growth.

In times of waiting and uncertainty, we may feel as though we are stuck in the dark. Yet, in these moments, we have the opportunity to plant seeds for future growth. The slow, unseen processes of transformation occur in the stillness—the sprouting of new life beneath the snow or the quiet expansion of our hearts during moments of introspection.

A Practice to Embrace the Darkness, Welcome the Light

As we move into the light of Christmas and Hanukkah, we are reminded of the gift that reflection and light bring into our lives. They illuminate the path forward and offer us the hope that, like the Earth after the solstice, we, too, can emerge from the darkness into the fullness of life. As Harvard Business Review notes, “Self-reflection helps us to pause and reflect on how we’ve arrived at where we are now, what we can learn from those moments, and where we want to go next.” Just as the Earth turns towards the light after the solstice, our reflection illuminates the path forward, transforming darkness into new opportunities for personal growth and wisdom.

Similarly, as Patheos shares, light in darkness is integral to many spiritual practices. Whether through prayer, meditation, or acts of kindness, these rituals guide us to shine light in places where shadows once loomed. In both our spiritual and physical worlds, lighting a candle or reflecting during the winter solstice creates space for growth, healing, and transformation.

In Healthy Spirituality, we are reminded that spiritual practices, such as the Examen—a tradition of daily reflection developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola—can help us navigate the darkness of the soul, just as the lighting of candles helps us navigate the literal darkness of the winter months. This ancient practice invites us to enter the quiet space where our souls can grow, even as we face challenges and uncertainties.

The Examen is a simple yet profound process that invites us to slow down, listen, and become more aware of transcendent moments. In this time of waiting, as we journey through the seasons of Advent, Hanukkah, and Christmas, the Examen can help illuminate the path ahead.

Steps for the Annual Prayer of Examen:

1. Place Yourself in Divine Presence: Begin by taking a few deep breaths. Close your eyes if you can and feel the warmth of the light surrounding you. Recognize that you are in the presence of love. Open your heart to this moment of connection.

2. Give thanks. Reflect on the blessings of the past year. What are you grateful for? Even in difficult times, there are moments of grace. Acknowledge these gifts and allow yourself to feel gratitude for them.

3. Review the Year: As you look back over the past year, take time to review it in broad strokes. What were the major events? What were the high points and the low points? Notice any patterns that stand out. Pay attention to moments where you felt a sacred presence or purpose and meaning, as well as times when you may have felt disconnected or distant.

4. Seek Insight: Gently and with self-compassion, reflect on the moments that felt challenging or where you might have fallen short of showing up as your best self. What might you learn from those times? What did those moments reveal about your heart, your desires, or your needs?

5. Look to the Future: Now, turn your attention to the coming year. What are your hopes and dreams for 2025?

6. Close with Peace: Conclude by resting in silent prayer or meditation. Trust that, no matter what the coming year holds, you are not alone. Feel a sense of calm as you leave this time of prayer, carrying the light of reflection with you into the days ahead.

   
   

I hope this annual Examen can serve as a grounding and centering practice as we move through this season of waiting, reflection, and light. May it bring you closer to both your inner self and the divine presence that surrounds us all.

---

References:

• Wurtman, R. (2020). The Effects of Light on the Human Body. CSO Vision.

• Patheos. (2017). "Spiritual Practices Inside Light Shining Darkness".

• Healthy Spirituality. "Tending the Holy Thursdays: The Spiritual Practice of Reflection - The Yearly Examen".

• Harvard Business Review. (2022). Don’t Underestimate the Power of Self-Reflection.