On the Tenth Day of Christmas

I light candles this Christmas
Candles of joy, despite all sadness,
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch.
Candles of courage where fear is ever present,
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,
Candles of grace to ease heavey burdens.
Candles of love to inspire all my living,
Candles that will burn all the year long.

– Howard Thurman