Those of us who work in churches, who talk theology, who read and study about spiritual life and faith, have been planning for Advent for months.  Literally – months and months.  Even as we did not gather for Easter, I was worrying about Christmas.  Early in the summer I started reading articles about thoughts of how to celebrate the season of Advent.  I signed up for several webinars and virtual conferences.  Usually, we just do what we usually do.  But this year… well, nothing is usual.  In some ways that opened the door to enormous creativity across the world.  What I have seen lately is a desperate call for light, an almost instinctive turning to the Light.  Our theme this year is “Light in the Darkness.”  This will lead up to Christmas Eve when we will try to fill the night with light.  We invite you to add lights to your home – luminaries, lanterns or electric lights.  Patterns are in our Advent kits.  (If you want a pattern, you may pick one up at church.  You may also still pick up an Advent kit.)  On Christmas eve, we will light candles on our west lawn – if weather permits.  We seek to fill the night with light in the center of Gardner, and witness to the Light of Christ in our world.  Throughout the season, witness to the Light of the World, born in Bethlehem, to shine in the darkness and to call us to shine with the love of God in loving others.

Presbyterian Outlook magazine offered this inspiring poem for their Advent series this year.
I Will Light Candles This Christmas By Howard Thurman
I will light candles this Christmas,
Candles of joy despite all the sadness,
Candles of hope where despair keeps watch,
Candles of courage for fears ever present,
Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,
Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens,
Candles of love to inspire all my living,
Candles that will burn all year long.

May we all hear the call this season to light candles in the night, to light candles against the darkness, to light candles of hope and healing, to light candles in witness to the Light of the world.  In the season ahead and in the year ahead, may your life be filled with the light of Christ.  May you share that light of God in witness in the world shining God’s grace for all to receive.