“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.”
In our world, darkness seems stronger than light. Amidst this winter, the Christian season of Advent invites us to look honestly at the darkness even as we watch for the light of Christ, our one true hope.
This is what Advent asks of us:
that before we celebrate the birth of Christ, we remember the pain of labor; we wait with this whole longing world, with all of creation, groaning for redemption to be born; that we face the midnight before we celebrate the dawn;That we prepare for Christmas not only with shopping lists and decorations but by making space for mourning; that we join with all of God’s people, across the ages, in lamentation; that we wait, as the hymn says, “in lowly exile here, until the Son of God appears.”*
And this is what Advent promises to us:
“We have a promise upon which to base our hope:
The promise of God’s love.
So our life can rightly be a waiting in expectation, but waiting patiently and with a smile.
Then, indeed, we shall be really surprised and full of joy and gratitude when he comes.”
(Henri Nouwen)
As this Advent begins, let us remember, let us lament, let us wait, let us cling to the promise.
And let us have eyes to see the Christ who comes to live among us.
Christ of the cosmos, living Word,
come to heal and save…
Incognito, in our streets,
beneath the concrete,
between the cracks,
behind the curtains,
within the dreams,
in ageing memories,
in childhood wonder,
in secret ponds, in broken hearts,
in Bethlehem stable:
still small voice,
Word of God, amongst us.
(Iona community, Scotland)
*adapted from Tish Harrison Warren’s Advent: The Season of Hope, p.13
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