“Yet in thy dark streets shineth” – can you name that Christmas carol?
December 15, 2020
When you sing “O Little Town of Bethlehem” this Christmas season, I hope you catch this phrase, “Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light.” This contrast of dark streets and a light that never dims strikes me as the hope we all long for in these days leading up to Christmas.
And yet the families we are seeing at Bridge of Hope are carrying weights that feel overpowering. Coronavirus has simply added to the stress of their lives. Moms fleeing domestic violence, venturing out alone, so deeply wounded that hope feels like something outside of their grasp. Mothers who have lost their jobs, then their housing and are now left with little dignity or hope when they enter a temporary shelter with their children. Or a two-parent family with a dad who is incapacitated due to medical injuries and a mom trying to work full-time, be a care-giver for her husband and still shepherd three girls through virtual schooling – only to get news of a rent increase which means they can’t continue to stay in their home.
Yet in the dark streets, like in Bethlehem, a light shines. An everlasting Light. The Light of the Christ-child.
This year has not been the year we had hoped 2020 would be. Yet – the Light shines. And the Christ-child is born – for you, for me, for each hurting mom and child who feels they are venturing down the dark streets alone.
Thank you and merry Christmas to you, as part of the incredibly generous and supportive Bridge of Hope community, for helping families this Christmas, and all year long, find stability, hope, and the love of neighboring volunteers.
Thank you for the light you continue to shine for families facing homelessness.
May we all shine light in dark places this Christmas season,
Edith Yoder
Chief Executive Officer
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