We live in a world filled with sadness and strife. The news is saturated with crime and misdeeds. In spite of all this, I know it is an incomplete story. My experience blogging and with social networking has shown me that there are beautiful lights found all over the world. I've seen evidence in the the thoughtful comments left on my blog and Facebook posts. My heart has been touched when people have reached out to share their own stories. I am simply blown away when I check my mail and I receive a gift from someone I've only met online.
Today's blog post features one such gift from a dear connection I made a couple of years ago. Her nickname is Lady North and we met online a couple of years ago. I'm touched beyond words how something I have written in one of my blog posts inspires her to create something and will send it to me. In turn I'm inspired and it motivates me to keep writing and blogging.
Pictured above is her most recent gift, an Advent Luminary.
This luminary is made of a single piece of paper. Lady North worked digitally to create the lovely design. I love the medieval themed images that she selected. Let's take a closer look.
Adventus Primus - The First Week of Advent
"Upon a darkened night the flame of love was burning in my breast." ~ St. John of the Cross
Adventus Secundus - The Second Week of Advent
"Darkness deserves gratitude. It is the alleluia point at which we learn to understand that all growth does not take place in sunlight."
~ Joan Chittister
Adventus Tertius - The Third Week in Advent
"And in the Darkness there glowed a Holy Light."
~ Old English Carol
Adventus Quartus - The Fourth Week in Advent
"The Sun has Risen! Come, put out your candle."
~ Old Proverb
As you can imagine, tears of gratitude and delight filled my eyes when I received this gift. It is a reminder to me of the light we each cast onto the world.
This week I challenge you to reach out to someone you don't know and to shine your light. Perhaps you'll leave some comment love on a blog or facebook post. Maybe you'll follow Lady North's example and make a little something from your heart and post it in the mail. Our world needs your light. Shine brightly!
Namaste,
Kathryn, Collage Diva
PS - If you would like to make your own paper luminary, follow this LINK to the Mini Dream Journal post. Lady North provides detailed instructions on how to fold and cut a single piece of paper. No glue required!
Kathryn - This series of advent luminary is just exquisite. I love all the creative ideas that you share with us at True North Arts.
Posted by: Mary | 12/19/2011 at 08:52 PM