Ever Ready: Embrace the Light

Monday, December 21, 2020

Embrace the Light

Winter Solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. For thousands of years, the winter solstice has played a significant role in religion, spirituality and celebratory festivities. While it's certainly the day with the least amount of sunlight, let us look forward to the the weeks ahead as the days become brighter. These lyrics embrace the dance of life. Enjoy every step as we all sing and dance toward spring.
"Lord of the Dance" is a hymn with words written by English songwriter Sydney Carter in 1963. He borrowed the tune from the American Shaker song "Simple Gifts." The hymn is widely performed in English-speaking congregations and assemblies.

It follows the idea of a traditional English carol, "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day," which tells the gospel story in the first person voice of Jesus of Nazareth with the device of portraying Jesus' life and mission as a dance.

"Lord Of The Dance"
by Sydney Carter

I danced in the morning when the world was young
I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun
I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth
At Bethlehem I had my birth

Dance, dance, wherever you may be
I am the lord of the dance, said he
And I lead you all, wherever you may be
And I lead you all in the dance, said he

I danced for the scribes and the Pharisees
They wouldn't dance, they wouldn't follow me
I danced for the fishermen James and John
They came with me so the dance went on

Dance, dance, wherever you may be
I am the lord of the dance, said he
And I lead you all, wherever you may be
And I lead you all in the dance, said he

I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame
The holy people said it was a shame
They ripped, they stripped, they hung me high
Left me there on the cross to die

Dance, dance, wherever you may be
I am the lord of the dance, said he
And I lead you all, wherever you may be
And I lead you all in the dance, said he

I danced on a Friday when the world turned black
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back
They buried my body, they thought I was gone
But I am the dance, and the dance goes on

Dance, dance, wherever you may be
I am the lord of the dance, said he
And I lead you all, wherever you may be
And I lead you all in the dance, said he

They cut me down and I leapt up high
I am the life that will never, never die
I'll live in you if you'll live in me
I am the Lord of the dance, said he

Dance, dance, wherever you may be
I am the lord of the dance, said he
And I lead you all, wherever you may be
And I lead you all in the dance, said he

LAST MINUTE STOCKING STUFFERS

A few years several teacher friends of mine who enjoy DIY crafts met in August to get a jump start on some easy Christmas crafts. The link below gives some how-to directions for the photos.