It is that time of the year, Advent. For the Christian church it is the beginning of the new year. For the whole world it is the darkest time of the year, the shortest days of sunlight. It is also that time of the year when so much needless spending takes place, leading to regret and debt that takes the entire year to pay off. Do our children really need more? Do we?
I love the Yuletide, the Christmas time, or Hannukah or Kwanza, whatever you prefer. It is the time of amazement, hope, surprises and joy. When I was a boy, we did not have much money and I learned much later in life that if my grandfather had not sent my mother a check, we would have had nothing. That being said, there was always something under the tree. That stupid aluminum tree with the color wheel! Yeah, I was the kid with croup and allergic to what we know now are the berry producing evergreens. But I digress. It was a time of anticipation for something new in a life that had little to be thankful for, so I love Christmas and start listening to carols in early November. I wish I had been taught about Advent from an early age, I would love this time even more.
I love giving presents, surprising people with kindness. It is the only reason I wish I was really rich: so I could freely give it away. I love getting presents too, but they don’t have to be expensive or fancy or much at all. A new package of underwear, a book, silly puzzles, a cd, most anything. You see I still have that childish joy of opening things and being surprised. And that dear friends is what Advent is about, that “opening” of one’s heart to let a tiny ray of Light in. That anticipation of the light and the surprise of it every year being renewed and growing again.
To be honest, my light gets dim this time of the year. School has just ended finals and the begging of students is wearisome. Getting all the grades in, finishing all the paper work, it is exhausting and “this little light of mine” is but a flicker. That is why I love this Advent time. The Light is coming, I will be renewed and the warm little light will blossom into a fire that will burn for another year.
So how is your little light? Is it almost out? Was it ever lit? Advent is the great expectation that the light of this old world never, ever goes out. It never goes out in us either. Scripture says Nothing can separate us from the love of God. Nowhere is that more evident than this time of the year. So, look at all of the lights in yards, on houses, on the tree. Find one you can reignite your flame from and bask in that little glow. The flame of the Eternal flickers in every person on the planet. Join me in growing our own flames and seeing and honoring the flames in all others.
TMM