I have long been fascinated by caves. As a young girl, my first visit to the interior of a cave sparked my sense of wonder. Lit up by modern day electricity, we witnessed unique forms of stalactites and stalagmites sparkling like icicles, hanging from the ceiling and walls of the cave. Colorful spotlights highlighted each texture and shape, creating a sense of enchantment. Years later, as a Mom, I was excited to share a “caving” experience with our own children. We “happened upon” our opportunity in the Ozark Mountains. Descending, we entered the cave, following a well lit path. We paused at a spot in the depths of the cave. Our tour guide prepared us to experience this cave without the amenity of electricity. We were instructed to stand still and hold onto the rail in front of us as he prepared to flick off the lights. Click. There was silence. Then there were gasps. There were no pinholes of light or faint shadows of form. There were no cracks of sunlight. No hints of eventide, stars or moon. No remnants of light lingering down the path. A hand held directly in front of my face completely disappeared, under cover of dark. I realized, in that moment, that I had never before truly experienced darkness. It was powerful. I often recall our visit to that cave. It has been formative in my understanding of the impact and symbolism of darkness.
Since that time, I have taken interest in the fact that Bible and history scholars surmise that the nativity birth likely took place in the shelter of a cave rather than in a traditional stable, or “out building,” as is often portrayed. At that time, a cave was a common place for housing livestock. I can’t help but wonder about such a metaphor. Did the Lord of Light deliver His bright outpouring of hope directly into the deepest, darkest location on the earth? What a brilliant contrast & symbolic display. These ponderings led to writing a song, “Deepest Dark.” The lyrics express some of my thoughts, birthed from the cave experience, and the overall implications of Christ as our light. Although we may not know the precise location of Christ’s birth, we can unabashedly revel in the light of hope that entered our world that Bethlehem night!
“In him was life, and the life was the light of men” John 1:4
Song lyrics and links below:
YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Pys1cofdwT0 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/7dcNsNyZ4fUXwUjNcT2Whu?si=gFVqwPRyQo23F0YQ43Syog&context=spotify%3Asearch Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/deepest-dark/1652275300?i=1652275301
Deepest Dark
Was it in the deepest dark In the hollow of a cave That the light of the world was born The Holy One they laid Can't you just imagine With the backdrop of such dark How His Spirit lit the room And filled His mother's heart
In the deepest dark The light shines best In the middle of our night We can find our rest In a baby, a savior So humble so bright Sign of the ages His love brought to life Was in the deepest dark In the silence of the years That generations waited long For His presence to come near Can't you just imagine
How your faith would grow so dim With promises yet unfulfilled It's hard to hope again It's in the deepest dark The light shines best In the middle of our night We can find our rest In a baby, a savior So humble so bright Sign of the ages His love brought to life When the darkness feels so deep And the night seems so long The flickering of hope in me Is shining on
It's in the deepest dark That the light shines best In the middle of our night We can find our rest In a baby, a savior So humble so bright Sign of the ages His love brought to life In a baby, a savior So humble so bright Sign of the ages His love brought to life