Siblings of Christ,
We’re less than two weeks into December, and I don’t know about you, but I need a break. My sensory overload is at a maximum. My calendar is overbooked, but what am I supposed to let go of? Everything this time of year feels necessary. Important. Like it won’t be Christmas unless I make it to every gathering, every sale, every Advent/Christmas program. Many of us have experienced a Christmas season where it didn’t feel safe to gather, which lends to our urgent desire to have more opportunities to gather and celebrate now.
On this Second Sunday of Advent, we continue to gleam from the book, “Advent in Plain Sight” by Jill J. Duffield. The second ordinary objects that appear in the biblical narratives of messianic prophesy and incarnation that we encountered in our everyday lives are: TEARS.
As twinkling lights populate yards and jaunty holiday plays in every store and the secular message is one of sentimental happiness, the psalmist’s talk of eating and drinking tears feels inappropriate or even disrespectable and rude. (Psalm 80:4-5) However, the message of Advent is not one of superficial optimism, but rather one of tenacious hope. Jesus becomes incarnate not because the world overflows with peace, joy, kindness, patience, and justice. Jesus comes to earth in order to bring light to those who sit in deep darkness.
May we be so emboldened as to share the love of God with a world longing for light and hope, purpose, and love.