A Candle of Hope
The First Sunday of Advent
Advent is a season of waiting, watching, and wonder—not like “waiting in line,” but more like waiting for a concert to start, a love letter to arrive, or the stars to emerge on a crisp, clear night. It's a time of anticipation, expectation, and excitement, a season to renew our hope, peace, joy, and love as we prepare for the marvel that's on its way.
The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “arrival.” The One we eagerly await is Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. Over the next four weeks, we'll read scripture, pray, sing, and light candles to remind us of the growing light of God’s presence, especially amidst shadows of despair, conflict, sorrow, and hate.
As the nights grow longer and darker, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, Advent arrives. Around December 21st, the winter solstice marks the longest night of the year. While "night" can be a metaphor for difficulty, this year, let's embrace the poetry of the stars. Dark skies are perfect for stargazing, for seeking the Light of the World amidst deep indigos, bottomless blues, and inky blacks of God’s night sky. Just as the shepherds and Magi gazed at the heavens and faithfully followed the stars, we'll spend the next four weeks training our eyes to wait, watch, and wonder at all God has done—and will do—for the love of this broken, beautiful world.
There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves…Then they will see “the Child of Humanity coming in a cloud”
with power and great glory. Luke 21:25-27
