Darkness -- Light

         Sometimes this mysterious illness puts me in a very dark place. During an extended period of pain, a couple of weeks ago "Dr. P" reminded me, "Whenever you're feeling bad, just remember there are better days coming." Well, today is that day, and I am rejoicing in the ability to move freely around the house, think somewhat clearly, and accomplish a few long-neglected chores, including this blog! How many songs have expressed the same sentiment? In the folksy sixties the Mamas and the Papas crooned, "The darkest hour is just before dawn." Bob Marley wailed, "Every little thing is gonna be all right." Noah saw the rainbow of promise. The circlet around my neck given by my dear "sister" Linda, worn every day for the past 2 years, reminds me, "This, too, shall pass away." 

         But isn't that what Advent is all about? Isaiah promised, "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine." (Isaiah 9:2 NLT) The children of Israel waited some 800 years after that for their Messiah, the Light of the World, God's Son, to make His appearance: that's a VERY long time to hold on to hope!

       I've decided my byword for 2020 is going to be "Hope," and isn't that what Christmas is all about? Hope came at Christ's birth (even though admittedly he was more likely born in Spring or Fall than in December). Shouldn't every day be "Advent," awaiting His coming to gather His bride, the Church, to His throne in Heaven? And in that light, shouldn't we be anticipating Messiah's coming again every minute of every day?

      But what do we do in the meantime? How do we keep waiting and hoping? Look back at the Isaiah passage and you'll see it! Just like the moon reflecting the sun's light, we must shine with the Son's light! After all, He is the original light source; without Him, there is no light or life. John tells us, "In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it." (John 1:4-5 CSB) And in Matthew we are instructed, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven." (Matthew 5:16 CSB)

(Image: "Bogue Sound Moonrise" by Phil Stith)

      Ann Voskamp expresses it so beautifully in her Advent devotional The Greatest Gift:

            "Christmas whispers there is always hope. It doesn't matter how dark
            the dark is; a light can still dawn. It doesn't matter if the world whispers,
            'There's not a hint that help will come from elsewhere,' telling us that
            nothing will ever improve, get better, change. God favors the darkest 
            places so you can see His light the brightest."

      Just remember (I remind myself)-- 800 years! Meanwhile, SHINE! 

P.S. For you amaryllis-watchers, leaves have grown long, but no bloom-- maybe next year. There's always HOPE! 😉