The attendant keeper, Leslie Johnson, took it of our lighthouse, Eshaness. The beacon reminded me of the flames of the oil lamps of Hanukkah and the Star of Bethlehem. A light with a purpose, just like the menorah and the Star of Bethlehen. The menorah marks the victory over the Syrians, the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple, and the burning of the menorah for eight days on oil for only one day. The Star of Bethlehem led the Wise men and the Shepherd to the new-born baby Jesus. Many religious organizations and pictures feature lighthouses but it was not until I looked at this picture that the reason for that association became so clear to me.For the last few years I have focused my Christmas column on Moira Kerr's beautiful modern carol, This Child. When I look at Moira's words once again the similarity between the star and the lighthouse is reinforced. The star leads wise men from countries a far while the lighthouse leads ships from countries everywhere. In the darkness the star and the lighthouse fill the sky full of light. The end of their journey may be different for the travellers but what they find is not so different. They find sanctuary, rest and maybe a hope for a better tomorrow at their destination.
As the Eshaness beacon circles out into the cold dark night I want you to know I am thinking of you and hoping that some type of light is guiding you to peace and joy this holiday. Take a few minutes and listen to the beautiful song that has come to mean so much to me at Christmas.
This Child by Moira Kerr
Three wise men came from countries a far.
The sky was full of light
They saw a brightly shining star
High above Bethlehem, high above Bethlehem that night.
It brought them to a stable bare.
And through the dimness of the light
They saw a baby lying there.
They bowed their heads in prayer
They bowed their heads in prayer
That night.
And they brought mryth, frankincense, and gold
It is the greatest story ever told.
They laid such riches by him there
In his little stable so cold, so humble and so bare.
And these men the high born of their land
Who see such great and wondrous things.
This child all wrapped in swaddling bands
One day he would be, one day he would be,
King of kings.
And they brought mryth, frankincense, and gold
It is the greatest story ever told.
They laid such riches by him there
In his little stable so cold, so humble and so bare.
And they brought mryth, frankincense, and gold
It is the greatest story ever told.
They laid such riches by him there
In his little stable so cold, so humble and so bare.
This Child
This Child
Sincerely,
Sharma
I love to hear from you so contact me by email at sharma@sharmakrauskopf.com
You can find more articles in the archive under Island Miniatures/Lighthouse Letters.
I have three books which are directly related to this column. The Last Lighthouse tells how we bought our lighthouse, A Year in the Lighthouse and in Scottish Lighthouses our lighthouse is featured in the 31 lighthouses presented. You can find out more about these books and other I have written at my official website.
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