Let There Be Light
Diwali is on Friday 1 November 2024
by Claire Law
Suitable for Whole School (Sec)
Aims
To mark the religious festival of Diwali by reflecting on the symbolism of light in darkness.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (Let There Be Light) and the means to display them.
Assembly
- Show Slide 1.
Welcome the students to the assembly and tell them that this year, there have been several protests, some of which made headline news when they escalated into rioting and violence. - However, there have also been peaceful protests this year that have not received so much media attention. One example is the ‘Let There Be Light’ protest, a small-scale, peaceful protest that took place in Lowestoft earlier this year.
Show Slides 2-3. - These protesters were fed up with the amount of time it was taking to repair streetlights on a main road that ran through the town. Campaigners said that some of the lights had not worked for over two years, and called for urgent action before an accident happened.
Frustrated with having to cycle or walk their dogs in the dark, local people gathered to protest, in the hope of encouraging the Highways Agency to make the much-needed repairs.
Their protest paid off: the Highways Agency apologized, and promised to fix the lights over the summer. - At this time of year, most of us are very aware of the darkness that sets in not long after the school day has ended. As we walk, cycle or catch the bus home, it’s already beginning to get dark.
It’s at this time of year that many people around the world reflect on the theme of light in darkness. - This year, Diwali, the festival of light, will be celebrated on 1 November. This five-day-long festival is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. It takes place every autumn between October and November, with the date changing every year.
- Show Slide 4.
The word ‘Diwali’ comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means ‘rows of lighted lamps’. To celebrate Diwali, people illuminate their houses, shops and public places with small oil lamps called diyas. Diwali is also marked with fireworks. - Diwali is a time to focus on the victory of light over darkness, of good over evil. It is a celebration that in times of darkness, we look for light – and often, when we search hard enough, there is light to be found.
Sometimes, darkness can be used as a metaphor for difficult situations, and difficult relationships. When we suffer, it can feel like a form of darkness. When we receive kindness and help from others, it can feel like a form of light in that darkness. - Returning to the theme of this summer’s protests, the news reports of violent clashes were shocking. We saw images of people expressing hatred, rage and hostility. This hatred was used to hurt and damage, and it felt like a type of darkness for many people in this country.
- However, in the darkness, there were also signs of hope and light. The day after violent rioting in Southport had damaged a mosque, members of the local community came together to work on repairing the damage.
Show Slides 5-6.
People of different ages, faiths and races worked together to show that hatred would not have the final word. We could say that, in the darkness, there was a glimmer of light, through local people showing kindness and giving help. - The theme of light in darkness appears in the Christian tradition too. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells his followers, ‘You are the light of the world.’ (Matthew 5.14)
Show Slide 7.
Jesus uses the image of darkness and light to encourage us to find ways of bringing hope to situations that can feel hopeless.
Time for reflection
Let’s take a moment of quiet reflection to consider our local community: our school and our local area. Let’s take some time to consider some of the ways in which people are suffering.
When we suffer, it can feel like a form of darkness. Let’s call to mind people and places who are in darkness today.
Pause to allow time for thought.
Just as darkness can be a metaphor for suffering, so too can light be a metaphor for kindness and help from others. Now that we have called to mind people and places who are suffering, let’s reflect on how we can be a light in that darkness.
- What could we do to bring a glimmer of hope?
- How can we show that darkness will not have the final word?
- What do we want or need to do to be a light to others?
Pause to allow time for thought.
Finally, let’s think about ourselves because we may be struggling or suffering in some way too. Let’s take a moment to consider who is a light to us as individuals. Where can we find hope, support and kindness? There are people in school who can be that light for us. We may be able to think of people from whom we receive light. Let’s call them to mind now and be thankful.
Pause to allow time for thought.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
In times of darkness, help us to see ways to find hope and a sense of light in the darkness.
Help us to be a light to others who are struggling.
Help us to bring light to others, rather than contributing to their darkness.
Help us to trust that, even during darkness, the sun will shine again.
Amen.
