Look into the darkness, different frame of being,
Free from light's demand for seeing.
For these moments fleeting, sunlight is concealed now;
Science and learning have revealed how.
Even though this we know, it is still God's wonder;
daytime torn asunder.
Swift these moments passing that the darkness holds sway;
Soon returns the light of harsh day.
In these minutes fleeting let us wait with rapture,
And a spark of awe recapture.
As we go, this we know; God has made this dark space,
filled it with divine grace.
Still in this new darkness, bright corona shining,
Gives the moon a golden lining.
Brilliant circling sliver over, 'round, and under,
Gives the daytime dark its wonder;
Like God's love from above, circling 'round us ever,
grace's great endeavor.
With the moon withdrawing, see the day returning;
Sunshine's brilliance brightly burning.
Still the moment lingers, awe's light spark still flickering,
Drowning out our strife and bickering.
Dark sublime, for a time, daylight's reign did sever;
our God reigns forever.
Darkness is no darkness to our God unwavering,
Even when our souls are quavering.
Light and dark God favors, both in turn and measure;
Dark and light are both God's pleasure.
For this time most sublime, let us praise our Maker,
Saver, and Caretaker.
TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, April 2024; 5th verse after Psalm 139:11-12.
MUSIC: Tune ARNSBERG, Joachim Neander, 1680.
Written in anticipation of and reflection after the total eclipse of April 2024, while staying at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center for "Fernclipse," an event with programs around that eclipse. The inspiration for the final stanza somehow came with the music of Samuel Sebastian Wesley's anthem "Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfect Peace" and its bridge section suddenly blaring into my head for no apparent reason.
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