When darkness gathers

An Advent devotion to be in a booklet of such from Trinity United Methodist Church.

As fall deepens, days grow short and the air gets cold. Daylight Savings Time begins—suddenly night falls. You huddle with your school children at the bus stop as if in the wee hours.

This is one of the two great seasons of penitence that the Church observes: in the spring when light lengthens, it’s Lent; in the fall when darkness gathers, Advent. During this season we watch shadows grow, until the winter solstice, when the sun stands still, and the light once again begins to win back the hours.

Imagine ancient humans tending their fires, keeping watch, without explanation for the war between darkness and light that took place in the heavens, dreading that one year darkness would win, and the ice and endless night of long ago would return.

Imagine something closer to today: existing without hope of a Savior. Perhaps you live under tyrants who suppress religious faith. Or, maybe your family taught you that only good looks, money, success give life meaning.

In either case, you’re still in the dark, still waiting for the dawn to come. Perhaps grace has awakened in your heart a love for the Light you have yet to fully see; you live in what little Light you have; you work to give Food to the hungry, Healing to the sick, Justice to the powerless. You long for the Daybreak which you cannot name.

Advent is for you!

It answers that ancient fear of the dark, as old as the species. During the four weeks of Advent we prepare mind and spirit for the victory of the Light in our lives. We ready our community for the birth of the Child whose Life is a turning point for all humankind.

Advent is for all of us who walk in darkness. In our heart is a longing for the Light. Advent tells us, “Lift up your heads! Redemption is drawing near!” (Luke 21.28)

—I’ll have more to say about this, related to the book Before Night Falls, by Cuban poet and activist Reinaldo Arenas.