Dec. 21 Candles of joy, despite all sadness
Dec. 22 Candles of hope where despair keeps watch
Dec. 23 Candles of courage for fears ever present
Dec. 24 Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days
Dec. 25 Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens
Dec. 26 Candles of love to inspire all my living
Dec. 27 Candles that will burn all the year long.

~ Howard Thurman
(Note: I inserted dates at the beginning of each line of Thurman’s prayer-poem in order to use it as a daily practice the week following Christmas)

PRACTICE & REFLECTION:

Light one candle each evening between December 21 – 27.
Sit in silence as you hold in your heart the intention of the day: for example, joy in the midst of sadness, hope in the face of despair, courage in the presence of fear, etc.

~ pax,
Dan