These last few days of Advent coincide with the longest nights, leading up to the winter solstice. Despite the fact that the moon is high and bright, building to a full moon on Christmas Eve, the night that closes in on us before dinner and lingers until breakfast means that darkness is our companion for the majority of our 24 hours.
When we were in Ireland we visited Newgrange, in County Meath. It was built during the Neolithic period around 3000 BC to 2500 BC making it older than Stonehenge and the Egyption periods. As a mound of earth its significance was lost for awhile. It was rediscovered in the late 17th century, when people, looking for stones to use for building, came across what they thought was a cave. Now, restored to its former glory, the Newgrange mound is a solid structure that is 250 feet across and 40 feet high, covering an acre of land. It is astounding to think that the builders were able to erect such a structure long before there was equipment to move and stack the enromous rocks let alone no computers to plan the design.
It was a brilliant sunny day when we visited. We lined up at the entrance that is a small opening into a narrow passage way. We crept our way through the passage to where it opens into a chamber. After some explanation, the guide then turned out the artificial light and we were plunged into complete and absolute darkness. She then turned on a small light to replicate the small beam of light that that comes in through a small opening in the rocks at dawn on the mornings surrounding the soltice. The narrow beam of light enters the 62-foot long passage and lights the floor. It moves along the ground, from the window box until it lights the rear chamber. This Neolithic light show lasts 17 minutes.
Scholars are not certain why such an impressive structure would have been built to catch that first beam of light but it is astounding in its beauty and awesome mystery. Newgrange is a place where many are gathering tonight to herald the beam of light as it pierces the darkenss within.
Imagery of light and darkness are featured in many belief structures. As Christians we speak of Jesus as the light of the world. We light the Advent candles to pierce the darkness as we speak the words of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love the words of Advent. As the Gospel of John puts it, “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not put it out.”
