A note from the author: We refer to December 21 as the shortest day of the year even though it yields the same amount of time as the taller days. The same amount of time, just less daylight. The result is a longer night, more darkness. This day is different from the others.
Daylight in Advent can remind us of Christmas’s hope, joy and peace or a spotlight on all the pain experienced in the world. Darkness in Advent often symbolizes loneliness, grief, and despair. Yet, nighttime can also be an emblem of rest.
Less daylight in the world does not equate to lesser light of the world. More nighttime is the absence of sunlight, not the absence son-light. The Light of the World has come and has invited each of us to participate in revealing God’s light, during the shortest days and longest nights.
So, we pause, we wait, not for Christ to come, because Christ is already here, but for Christ to be revealed in our hearts and in our world. The shortest day of the year is before the last Sunday in Advent which celebrates God’s love. Love is here and time cannot contain it.
El Olam, Everlasting God of all seasons, holidays, and holy days,
you are the creator of time – good evening, good night, good morning, and good day.
Reveal your light in all dim places in our lives — in waiting rooms, after storms, and especially in the relationships with our neighbors, every day.
May we be reminded that weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning and love is always with us, even when the sun refuses to shine.
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, the Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Might God, El Olam, Everlasting God, the source of sunlight by day and son-light by night:
Amen.
Want to receive prayers in your inbox on Mondays? Sign up here.
