The Longest Night

An invitation to gather for those who recognize the darkness and celebrate the light

Many years ago, as West Hill was transitioning to a non-exclusive community, I created a Longest Night service which is held each year on December 21st. Although I am no longer in ministry with West Hill, the service continues, a marker of the time of year, and exploration of both the essence of darkness and our need to remind ourselves of the light that resides within us and which is ours to shine into the world.

December 21, 6:00 p.m. ET

The service is a series of poetic readings which initially take those gathered deep into the darkness which surrounds us. With each reading, the community is reminded of those without hope, peace, and joy, candles being extinguished as the realities of our broken world are named. Finally, the light of the future is snuffed, reflecting the millions in this world who have little to look forward to as their futures unfold in poverty, slavery, illness, and dread. The community sits in the darkness.

Recognizing that it is our responsibility to challenge ourselves beyond the darkness to live peace, hope, joy, and possibility into the lives of others and our own, the community, in total darkness, is turned toward their responsibilities in the world and inspired to be the light that is so deeply needed. Through another series of poetic readings, lifting up our responsibilities and possibilities, participants rise, move through the darkness to the table and set it ablaze with the light of dozens of small candles, each a commitment to live light into the world. It is a moment of solidarity, of belief in the goodness of the human heart, of commitment to being that goodness in the world.

At the conclusion of the gathering, participants each move to the front and a candlewick bracelet is placed on their wrist with the words, “You are the light of the world.” Which is exactly what each of us must be in these challenging times. It is exactly the reminder we need when life becomes dark, personally or societally. We must be the light.

The Longest Night service, West Hill United.

If you would like to participate, please join the community at 6:00 p.m. ET through this Zoom link: Longest Night 2024. Have a candle ready to light, or several. If you’d like a candlewick bracelet, please let me know. With Canada’s current postal service strike, I will not be able to get one to you by the 21st, but will send one out as soon as I am able.

Be light.

Whether we believe we are compelled to love  
by some outside force 
or some inner strength, 
we are responsible for creating that love –  
the culmination of our highest ideals – 
through our acts, our voices, our lives. 
We challenge ourselves  
to hold those ideals boldly  
because it is too easy to weave ourselves  
into a web of our own desires  
and the cultural expectations that surround us.   
May that which we once projected  
onto gods and divine beings – 
pure, unsullied by our baser needs and wants –  
may it stir once again in our own hearts – 
beyond all gods – 
that we might remember  
who we are  
and who we seek to be. 

© 2018 gretta vosper 

If you were able to participate, please let others know what you thought of the service by leaving a comment. Thank you!