December has arrived!

Well, it's that time again...time to commit myself to write every day leading up to Advent.  My writings may not always make it here every day, but I will do my best.  I hope you'll join me on this reflective journey of advent, of anticipation of what the season holds, what we hold within ourselves, and what others have to teach us during this special season.

I need to be honest with you...I've found myself in a bad place in the last few weeks.  I've had days when I don't want to be around anybody.  I've wanted to wallow in the muck and darkness a little.  I'm sure there are many factors related to this....and if you're honest with yourself, you've had those days too.  Despite that, we began the Advent season at church yesterday with a four year old proclaiming "This is a season of hope!"  We have hope in the midst of darkness.  Life is really dark sometimes...we don;'t get answers that we want; sometimes we don't get answers at all.  We feel like we are wandering in a wilderness without any guidance.  And yet, new life is born.  Trees lie fallow, waiting for rebirth.  New snows fall.  And we keep walking.  But, my prayer for myself and for you is that we are walking toward the light...oh soul, do not run away...do not try to hide...face the darkness and believe.  Believe that the Light of the World has come for you.

December Darkness by Ann Weems

Too often our answer to the darkness
is not running toward Bethlehem
but running away.
We ought to know by now that we can't see
where we're going in the dark.
Running away is rampant...
Separation is stylish:
separation from mates, from friends, from self.
Run and tranquilize,
don't talk about it,
avoid.
Run away and join the army
of those who have already run away.
When are we going to learn that Christmas Peace
comes only when we turn and face the darkness?
Only then will we be able to see
the Light of the World.

Elizabeth told Mary...

You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.

A young teenager faced the darkness of new motherhood, of social disgrace, of a doubtful husband, of so much unknown....but because she faced darkness, she birthed the Light of the World.  

May we believe.