Today is the annual darkest day in northern hemisphere history. We the people wondered if everything would just get darker without hope. It takes a few days for us to notice that the light begins to return, which may be why the Christ Mass is celebrated a few days after Dec. 21.

“Light One Candle” is a 1982 song by Peter Yarrow (the short one). He said it was an exploration of his own Jewish heritage, a response to the 1982 Israel-Lebanon War, and a reminder to listeners to speak up for peace. 166 years before Jesus, when the emperor outlawed Jewish spiritual practices, the Maccabee rebels took back the Holy Temple and relit the flame of the Menorah. They had oil for one day; the oil and the light lasted eight days..

As I watched an old Peter, Paul, & Mary Hanukkah/Christmas Concert this morning I was moved more than I am each year by this song. We need each person’s candle lit for economic justice and shalom peace to shine through our love and our tears in each dark day ahead.

What candle are you lighting to dispel darkness? How do you keep your flame ablaze?

PS… As you dust off your album or watch the song on YouTube, here are the lyrics.

“Light One Candle” by Peter Yarrow

Light one candle for the Maccabee children – Give thanks that their light didn’t die! Light one candle for the pain they endured – When their right to exist was denied! Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice – Justice and freedom demand! Light one candle for the wisdom to know – When the peacemaker’s time is at hand!

Don’t let the light go out! – It’s lasted for so many years! Don’t let the light go out! – Let it shine through our love and our tears.

Light one candle for the strength we all need – To never become our own foe! Light one candle for those who are suff’ring – Pain we learned so long ago! Light one candle for all we believe in – Let anger not tear us apart! Light one candle to bind us together – With peace as the song in our heart!

What is the memory that’s valued so highly –  That we keep it alive in that flame? What’s the commitment to those who have died – When we cry out they’ve not died in vain, We have come this far, always believing – That justice will somehow prevail! This is the burning. This is the promise, – This why we will not fail!

Don’t let the light go out! – It’s lasted for so many years! Don’t let the light go out! -Let it shine through our love and our tears. Don’t let the light go out!