**post-edit note…I just put new links in at the bottom of this post. We had such a good lesson in church on Sunday in the wake of the awful things that happened last week. The inspired teacher read a portion of this post here and it touched me more than I can say. It is so beautifully written. Oh how I want to be a “light” in our world that can sometimes have some deep, dark things happen in it. How I want to teach my children to let those lights of theirs shine as well. The theme for the youth in our church this year is “Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations.” I have thought about that SO much this year. Even a small candle can provide so much light in a dark room. I want to do as Kathryn says in that blog post: “for every act of darkness, I need to do a thousand acts of light. The only way we win is by living better, by pushing back harder, by loving, and by nurturing in tiny and slightly less tiny ways and then repeating. Darkness only wins when the good people of the world stop generating light.” I can’t help but think of what a wonderful time Christmas is to generate that light. We just have to be still enough to let that light in, and then let it shine. I love this quote my sister sent me from her friend Catherine’s very inspiring blog: — Lo, in the silent night
A child to God is born
And all is brought again
That ere was lost or lorn.
Could but thy soul, O man,
Become a silent night!
God would be born in thee
And set all things aright. May we all become that “silent night” this season. 
May we be still enough to let God be born in us to make us the bright lights He needs us to be. And may all those families affected by the darkness from last week feel that light from those around them, and from God who loves them dearly. Click here for a great idea of what people are doing to help in Connecticut. And click here for an amazing speech from the dad of one of the victims.
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i loved that post by kathryn as well, i grew up with her, isn't she great??!! she said it so well and i too hope i can be light among the dark things that can happen. thank you for your wonderful blog and the light it brings to so many!
I love this perspective of be more light in the darkness. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Shawni! I really needed that post this morning.
THank you, Shawni. That helped me to read this morning. I have been thinking so much about the tragedy in Newtown. I like that you talked about being a light. I will try to do the same for my family and teach my kids. I appreciate you bringing to our minds this perspective. We talked about it in RS on Sunday and it's hard to wrap our minds around what happened but I feel grateful when we can support each other with good feelings and bring light and love to each other. Thank you!
Beautiful post. Short, sweet, simple, yet full of beautiful meaning and eloquence. Always grateful for your perspective. Your family is a light and I, for one, am grateful you share your story with so many. You inspire me. Have a happy Tuesday!
just found your blog, and saying Hi. I love this post, Friday was tragic. Thanks for sharing!
Kathryn's words are so elevating. So wise. Thank you for connecting us to her thoughts. And thanks for your sweet comment. You must know by now how much I adore you and your beautiful family. You constantly fill this space with light. That light filters into your community and the greater world. You are a real inspiration to so many mothers. Anxiously engaged in doing good – that is how I see you and yours. Sending you Christmas love and blessings. xo
So true! Thank you for sharing!
Just what many of us needed to hear today! Thanks for sharing.
This post on the Big Mama Blog says everythign i have been feeling about all of this. Also about being a light in a dark world.
http://thebigmamablog.com/13357/in-search-of-the-light/
Hi Shawni, I know your sister Saydi from the Rockland Preschool in Malden. I loved the post from Katheryn about being the light but now I can't find her blog, could you post her piece again, Thanks, Mea