The darkness falls around me like a cozy comforter. Wait! says the voice of the divine to my soul.
I light the first candle to signal the beginning of a year fresh and new. Light blends with the coziness. The air sings with HOPE. Wait! says the voice of the divine to my soul.
I light the second candle. The light blends with the coziness. The air hums with PEACE. Wait! says the voice of the divine to my soul.
I light the third candle. Light blends with the coziness. The air pulses with JOY. Wait! says the voice of the divine to my soul.
I light the fourth candle. Light blends with the coziness. The air glows with LOVE. Wait! says the voice of the divine to my soul.
I light the fifth candle. The coziness and the air blaze with the light of EMMANUEL. Go! Bring MY light to the weary world, says the voice of the divine to my soul.
Advent born in cozy and drowsy darkness prepares us to go and bring the light to a world crying for warmth and healing. Without the darkness, our light cannot shine.
Go! Shine your light and help heal a world surrounded by brokenness and crying out for the light.
Advent.
DARCY GILLESPIE is a deacon at Longview Presbyterian Church in Longview, Washington.
