A Reflection for Advent

Many are flooding Facebook and other social media with photos of Nelson Mandela today.  We have lost a great man.

Here is a quote from Mr. Mandela that could provide an interesting reflection during this Advent season and beyond.  Be that light in the darkness!

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most.  We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Nelson Mandela