Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. ... Isaiah 60:1-2

>Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds...How excellent is thy loving-kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings...For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. ... Psalm 36:5,7,9

Advent is for many of us a time for special focus on renewing our personal faith, celebrating with family and friends, helping people in need, and praying for peace. It is also a time for immersing ourselves in all the familiar traditions, sometimes to the point of inattention to the essentials underlying those traditions. We may, for instance, become busily preoccupied or alternately, almost lulled to sleep, comfortably wrapped in the warmth the season seems to inspire. Instead, we ought to stand stark amazed at this astounding event. What indescribable humility and wrenching pain must have accompanied the birth of the very essence of Light into a world of dark indifference, anxiety, and aggression. What incredible sense of grief and loss must have attended the entrance of such inexorable Love into an atmosphere of hatred, distress, and daily degradation of all that creation was intended to be. By itself, the birth of Christ would be as startling and unbearable as His crucifixion, were it not for one word associated with both events: regeneration. He who came to set us free still dwells in our hearts to accomplish the fact. He who came to restore the world to Himself, still lives in the rocks and rivers and rills. The earth and all its inhabitants bear His unmistakable mark, and ever shall. As people of nearly every spiritual tradition understand, all that is truly significant in our lives and all that is actually real belongs to the realm of the soul and spirit. There let us rest, not enfolded in ritual and glitter, but embraced in His soft and tender care. There let us rest, that we may be truly nourished and restored, and awaken alert and ready for His coming. For regardless of the evidence that may appear to contradict and undermine our beliefs, Advent assures us once more of these awe-inspiring truths: We were born in His image and we live in His love and nothing, least of all death, shall ever sever that bond.

Love divine, all love excelling,
Joy of heaven to earth come down!
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling;
All Thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.
... Charles Wesley

Contributed by Diane S.
Published Sunday December 5, 2004
Week 2 of Liturgical Year A