Advent: Thoughts on Waiting While the World Burns

Advent. It's been so long since my family sat around the dining table every night and sang "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." So many years since a child placed one more square on our advent calendar each evening. I still have those felt squares. Each one a beautiful, hand-made labor of love. One year, I created them - one at a time. Scissors and felt and glue. Tiny beads and bits of gold. Night after night from fall until that first Sunday of Advent. "

A tree stump with a tiny sprouting branch. A small green leaf. "The root of Jesse shall spring a branch" A small cottage-like house with a thatched roof. "From you, O Bethlehem...little among the thousands of Judah, from you will come One who will rule Israel" An angel, with pearl-edged wings and lifted arms and a small, kneeling figure with long, dark hair. "Greetings, favored one!.... The Holy Spirit will come upon you and you shall give birth to a son."

Advent. A time to make our hearts ready. A time to make room in my heart for Jesus to be born. For Jesus and His ways to be formed again in me.

This Advent, the world is burning. Our nation is in deep darkness.
This Advent I will either choose to be a Light or I will harden my heart in anger.
This Advent I feel discouraged and afraid. I cannot convince anyone to change. I cannot convince anyone that trusting God while the world is in flames is freedom - not foolishness. I can't force anyone's eyes open to actually SEE human beings instead of images or fears.

I can only try to be Light and speak the words again.

"O Come, O Come Emmanuel. And ransom captive Israel. That mourns in lonely exile here. Until the Son of God appears."