Mother Laura, over at RevGalBlogPals has this Advent Friday Five: "Can you believe that in two days we'll be halfway through Advent? Gaudete Sunday: pink candle on the advent wreath, rose vestments for those who have them, concerts and pageants in many congregations. Time to rejoice!
Rejoice in the nearness of Christ's coming, yes, but also in the many gifts of the pregnant waiting time when the world (in the northern hemisphere, at least) spins ever deeper into sweet, fertile darkness."
What makes you rejoice about:
1. Waiting?
When I can calm the "I Want It Now" voice in my head long enough to realize that waiting is a spiritual discipline, I am able to actually enjoy the process, and know that the waiting is worth it. It almost always is. Being pregnant is such a powerful metaphor for this kind of waiting. I think back to my two experiences of it: how the first one ended with me wishing I had appreciated the time more, and the second one with such amazing relief and joy. Such different outcomes, both prefaced by a time of waiting for the unknown. Having to simply trust and wait, knowing that much of the outcome is out of my own control....there is not much waiting like this these days. There is more to say about this, which will need some reflection....
When I can calm the "I Want It Now" voice in my head long enough to realize that waiting is a spiritual discipline, I am able to actually enjoy the process, and know that the waiting is worth it. It almost always is. Being pregnant is such a powerful metaphor for this kind of waiting. I think back to my two experiences of it: how the first one ended with me wishing I had appreciated the time more, and the second one with such amazing relief and joy. Such different outcomes, both prefaced by a time of waiting for the unknown. Having to simply trust and wait, knowing that much of the outcome is out of my own control....there is not much waiting like this these days. There is more to say about this, which will need some reflection....
2. Darkness?
Is there a more beautiful moment in the liturgical year than the words: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it?" Pair that with a match struck to light the Christ candle, and from there, all the candles in the hands of those worshiping, and you have a recipe for joy...enough for the rest of the year. Probably also one of the moments from my growing-up when the seed of a call to ministry was born in me.
Is there a more beautiful moment in the liturgical year than the words: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it?" Pair that with a match struck to light the Christ candle, and from there, all the candles in the hands of those worshiping, and you have a recipe for joy...enough for the rest of the year. Probably also one of the moments from my growing-up when the seed of a call to ministry was born in me.
3. Winter?
As one who grew up in the land of palm trees, I love the idea of winter. Crackling fire, hot chocolate, sweaters and snowball fights. I didn't really move far enough north for most of that. But the idea, the possibility, still brings me hope and joy.
As one who grew up in the land of palm trees, I love the idea of winter. Crackling fire, hot chocolate, sweaters and snowball fights. I didn't really move far enough north for most of that. But the idea, the possibility, still brings me hope and joy.
4. Advent?
The growing light from the Advent wreath. The slow decorating of the house. The way the Godly Play story of Advent builds on itself over the weeks. The way my children now echo my thoughts on the subject: "Can you believe they have Christmas decorations up in the store already? Haven't they ever heard of Advent?!"
The growing light from the Advent wreath. The slow decorating of the house. The way the Godly Play story of Advent builds on itself over the weeks. The way my children now echo my thoughts on the subject: "Can you believe they have Christmas decorations up in the store already? Haven't they ever heard of Advent?!"
5. Jesus' coming?
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing And her people for gladness. I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people; And there will no longer be heard in her The voice of weeping and the sound of crying. No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, Or an old man who does not live out his days; For the youth will die at the age of one hundred And the one who does not reach the age of one hundred Will be thought accursed. They will build houses and inhabit them; They will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They will not build and another inhabit, They will not plant and another eat; For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people, And My chosen ones will wear out the work of their hands. They will not labor in vain, Or bear children for calamity; For they are the offspring of those blessed by the LORD, And their descendants with them.
Isaiah 65:17-23
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing And her people for gladness. I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people; And there will no longer be heard in her The voice of weeping and the sound of crying. No longer will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, Or an old man who does not live out his days; For the youth will die at the age of one hundred And the one who does not reach the age of one hundred Will be thought accursed. They will build houses and inhabit them; They will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They will not build and another inhabit, They will not plant and another eat; For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people, And My chosen ones will wear out the work of their hands. They will not labor in vain, Or bear children for calamity; For they are the offspring of those blessed by the LORD, And their descendants with them.
Isaiah 65:17-23
6 comments:
THANKS BE TO GOD!
And to you-- this is great.
Wonderful picutres you paint here, and I love it that your children appreciate advent.
thank you for this.
thank you. your words about the darkness helped to push back the darkness here. Blessings!
Glorious play today, esp. the reflections on pregnancy and your kids "getting Advent"--both have been such joys for me too.
Just love what your kids had to say, as well as many of your thoughts.
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