The Season of Darkness

The season of darkness is very nearly upon us. Each morning as I leave my house it's a little darker and it takes just a little longer before the sun comes up. I don't know if I've ever been so aware of the shortening days, but I work very early now and being able to literally see the days grow shorter has made me aware of winter's advent.

I used to love winter because of all the fun that it meant. Snow days, hot chocolate, snowmen and brisk chilly walks that make you appreciate the warmth of home. But some how I lost the pleasure of winter. I think it might have been around the same time that I began to understand that working adults don't get snow days and driving in snow when you have to be somewhere is scary.

The long, cold, endless, winter days eventually lead to Spring becoming my favorite time of year.

But then I began to celebrate Advent.

And slowly winter has become a special time for me again.

I love Advent. You wouldn't think that a time of darkness and waiting would bring an impatient lover of Spring much joy, but it does.

Oh how it does. I think it's because of what I'm waiting for. When the nights grow long and despair for Spring draws nigh, advent helps me cling to hope. I am not the first to wait and to hope. Once long ago a people waited and nearly gave up hope of ever being delivered from oppression. Long ago on a dark night a woman waited in great pain and great hope for a child to be delivered. For so many years a people have waited and hoped for the return of a man in triumph and in glory. These are my people and with great hope I wait with them.

O Come thou Dayspring
Come and Cheer our Spirits by thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
and Death's dark shadows put to flight
Rejoice!
Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel

Perhaps those stodgy Puritans had some inspiration when they celebrated harvest with a meal to give thanks for provision for the dark, hard months of winter. Undoubtedly the Church was right to practice a time of repentance and vigil to guide us into the Season of Christmas. We need hope. We need the promise of new life, whether that be simply Spring coming and provisions to make it until then, or whether that be the greater promise that death is not the end, but only the gate into a different and new life spent with the Creator.

We fall so easily into despair. Darkness and cold. Dead flowers, dormant trees. Winter can seem so hopeless. It draws into focus the hard things about life. Which is why we need the Advent season so very much. I appreciate the chance to think of and name all that I'm thankful for.

I look forward to the dark season where I name with my community the hope I have that the darkness and despair do not last forever; that my savior is coming again. I look forward to the day when the Messiah comes.

Ordinary time is coming to an end. Next week is the Feast of Christ the King, then Advent is upon us.

The season of waiting is coming. The season of hope and faith draws near.