Book Review: Light on Darkness
19th December 2025
Short Version: A very well written book about elements of the Medieval Catholic (and later) liturgy, and how they relate to church teachings, to music, and to art.
Long Version: “What color stole?” “Check the liturgical calendar.” Liturgy is a term associated with Christian worship, generally the more traditional denominations or “high church,” such as Anglican, Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and the like. But Judaism also has a liturgy, as do other faiths. The Roman Catholic liturgy has had more cultural influence on Western Civilization over the years. Cosima Gillhammer’s book looks at a few specific points in the larger liturgical constellation, bringing in texts, music, images, and the rituals and patterns of worship and meditation. She focuses on the medieval and Dark Ages roots of the liturgy, and the emotions and “sense” of how texts and ideas were used.
The author begins by describing the darkness of the eve of Easter, and the vigil. Hushed darkness, fearful and waiting, then a light. One light, then more and more. Darkness remains outside the church, but fear shifts to hope. Dawn will come. That is the point of liturgy, to guide, and to bring emotion and power to what could be dry and confusing doctrines.
Alma T. C. Boykin is a prolific writer of excellent speculative fiction. She is one of few authors whose name on a book causes me to buy it automatically.