Walking in the Light

One of the common themes of Advent is the light piercing the darkness.  In the northern hemisphere, this is the time of year when the days grow shorter, and we long for the light. I’ve heard up north people can get SAD (seasonal affective disorder). It’s a type of situational depression set on by lack of natural sunlight.

We long for the light in another sense too… As the Corona Virus continues to impact our families and lives; as political tensions spill over into our communities and even into our families; as heartache and need surround us;  we long for the light to pierce the darkness.

This is why this time of year we express our longing. We sing O Come O Come Emmanuel. We reflect on the hope of ancient Israel; and on the coming of Christ – and the promise that what God began on that first Christmas morning in Bethlehem, God will one day bring to completion…  We read the prophets who give us a vision of this future – and who encourage us to wait with hope.

Part of what the season of Advent teaches us, if it is done well, is to wait with hope….  not in a passive sense – but to wait with eyes attuned to places where the light is already piercing the darkness.

Isaiah says, “Come O house of Israel, let us walk in the light of the Lord.”

My prayer for each of you today is that you notice those places where the light is indeed shining through the darkness.  The news is full of darkness, but if your eyes are open, there is light. May you notice God’s love at work in the world even now, notice the light – and to find ways to join it. Find ways to walk in it. Find ways to share it.

Let us pray: God of Grace, Give us eyes to see the beauty and goodness – even amid the darkness. Grant us hearts to walk in it and share it. And as we do, may we experience your joy and your peace anew this season. In Christ’s name. Amen.