This week we begin the season of Advent. Advent is the time in which the church waits for the mystery of Christmas to be born. Sometimes we talk about this as waiting for “the light to illumine the dark.” As I write this the light is fading in the sky outside of the church and the clouds are illumined from beneath by the setting sun. Darkness is coming soon. Darkness is often feared rather than welcomed. But what if there is a brilliance to the dark? What if there is mystery to be met and wonder to embrace while we wait for the light? This Advent we hope to wait together in the wonder and mystery of the dark even as we seek the light of God’s coming into our world.
Outline of Worship Series.
November 30, 2014 Mark 13.24-37
December 7, 2014 Mark 1.1-8
December 14, 2014 John 1.6-8, 19-28
December 21, 2014 Luke 1.26-38
Barbara Brown Taylor writes, “Here is a helpful reminder to all who fear the dark. Darkness does not come from a different place than light; it is not presided over by a different God. The long nights of Advent and the early mornings of Easter both point us toward the God for whom darkness and light are alike. Both are fertile seasons for those who walk by faith and not by sight. Even in the dark, the seed sprouts and grows—we know not how—while God goes on giving birth to the truly human in Christ and in us” (“Redeeming Darkness” in Christian Century on November 28, 2011).
What are some feelings you have about the dark? Does dark make you jumpy? Do you sleep with a light on? Do you welcome the dark?
Read Mark 13.24-37.
We heard Matt share last Sunday that at the heart of apocalyptic literature is encouragement and hope. Karoline Lewis writes, “That which looks like devastation and defeat will be God’s victory. Out of the theological turmoil and confusion surrounding the destruction of the temple will be a new presence of God. Out of the suffering and death of their Messiah will be new life. God’s new way of being in the world will turn a cross into resurrection and a baby in a manger into salvation for the world.”
As we begin to move toward the mystery of Christmas and the Word being born as a wordless child, what might it look like for you and/or your family to live with encouragement and hope? How might your practices for staying in love with God be shifted this Advent season to inspire encouragement and hope?