During this season it's easy to get lost in the darkness, in the middle of all that goes on: the sights, sounds, activities, expectations, and yes, also the loneliness, unrealized hopes, memories of times and Christmas's past, the "Christmas blues", and more. It's easy to get lost in the darkness.
But this past weekend we heard another word... how to be found in the darkness. On Sunday evening we gathered for a beautiful service of lessons and carols: "Lost in the Night: An Advent Service of Hope and Expectation". That evening held before us the hope and promise of the One who comes into our darkness. As one of the hymn stanzas said:
"Rejoice, rejoice, take heart in the night, though dark the winter and cheerless, the rising sun shall crown you with light, be strong and loving and fearless."
As those who have been sought out and found in the darkness, those made "strong and loving and fearless", another stanza spoke these words:
"Shine your future on this place, enlighten ev'ry guest, that through us stream your holiness, bright and blest,
bright and blest.."
On Sunday morning God's holiness was "streamed on us" in a very real way through our children (including baby Heins and baby Boyle, each of whom were a perfect little "baby Jesus") as they told us the Christmas story in words, actions and song. A story so simple as to be told by children, and yet so profound as to be pondered by the deepest thinking and most reflective souls. What a beautiful, meaningful way of hearing this age old story of God with us, unfolding yet today among us!
So, if you feel "lost in the darkness" of this season for any reason, gather with people of faith who also feel the darkness, but who also have "been found" by God's promise to come to us with a Word of Hope and Peace and Love. For in hearing that Word, the darkness begins to disappear and God's Life-giving Light begins to dawn. And this season truly becomes Holy, Joyful and Peace-filled.
See you in church! Pastor Jack Diehl + www.oursaviorelca.com
