Waiting in the Darkness

Psalm 26, 28 • Psalm 36, 39
Isa. 5:13-17, 24-25 • 1 Thess. 5:12-28 • Luke 21:29-38

Thanksgiving had my attention when I started to work with these readings. I was unaware that Advent was sneaking up on me like a thief in the night. I didn’t get it until I read the readings a few times – of course, these are Advent readings. Jesus is at the end of his ministry, the end of his teaching. The next chapter in Luke is the Passover Supper, or Last Supper. The beginning of the end.

In today’s reading Jesus says, “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap.”

This morning, when I started writing, it was still dark, and I had just read the news. I was caught up in the “worries of this life.” Then the light came to this day, a reminder that during Advent we wait for the coming of the Light that will save us all. When I sense the coming of the light, the worries of this life are not so heavy, I am stronger, more able to see beauty and love. The difficulty for me is remembering that the light is coming, even when it’s dark.

This is what Jesus promised in the Lesson of the Fig Tree. “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. . . . you know that the kingdom of God is near.” Yes, our lives have seasons, and the germination that causes the leaves to sprout happens in the dark, knowing that the Light is coming. The Kingdom of God is near!!

Written by Cathy Campbell

Cathy Campbell is a licensed counselor. Each year she eagerly waits for the Winter Solstice and Christmas, to celebrate the coming of Light.