Advent

It’s dark out. I’ve only been awake a dozen minutes but already my mind spins with the weight of the day. But I bring that to our Advent practice, and the day starts anew, lighter.

It’s dark out. The day has unfolded come what may and did. Dinner’s half on the table, but someone’s getting up to get something and whoops, forgot that. Yet we come together for a shared moment of Advent practice, and our dinner begins from a different place.

This is the practice shaping those beginning and mid-evening points in our day. It’s a reflection from Isaiah 9:1-7:

Weary: Sit in the darkness of morning or evening and name what is making you feel weary – it’s been helpful for me to name it out loud. Even our kids can answer, “What has made today feel hard?”

Hear the promise by saying this out loud: “This time of darkness and despair will not go on forever,” Isaiah 9:1. It’s amazing the relief and hope that sparks in me as I say that!

Light the match/torch. Let the light feel overly bright compared to the darkness.

Light 2 candles (this week).

Hear what’s true by reciting Isaiah 9:2,6: “The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light… For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Then spend time thanking Jesus for the way he’s been with you – or the way you see your need for him– as each of those titles. This week, we’re reflecting on “Wonderful” and “Counselor” or “Wonderful Counselor” (ha! I talked about that in the sermon. There are two ways to read that!)

The candles are lit. It’s no longer dark. But my soul has been pouring out praise and wonder about our God being a child whom I can hold, whose power is in his presence with me even before God does anything specific. His presence alone is the gift.

The candles are lit. The food is being ladled onto plates. We start talking about what caught our attention today as “Wonderful.” Becca’s only two, but she’s asked us multiple times today to look at the trees swaying. Reed helped me hunt down the owl that the robin was making a big fuss over. These are little wonders. “God, you are wonderful, and you are here.” And the conversation moves on but we’ve experienced a moment of shared wonder.

Let’s practice Advent together. Let’s wait for the Lord who is coming again. Let’s let light shine in the darkness and remember that God is already here.

-Pastor Megan