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ADVENT
From Canon Kate Cullinane
I read an article recently where the author reports about a Christmas card that he reads every year. The card came to him from a friend who had cancer. Much to his surprise the card received from his friend was upbeat even after the chemotherapy and hair loss. In his friend's last paragraph she mentions the ornaments on the tree, support of family and friends and moments of laughter. Her last paragraph read:
"Cancer's darkness is strong, but faith's light is stronger. So as the darkness grows, it is the little things which help me see the light. After all, God sent a tiny Child to bring light into the world. So I choose to look for the light."
Look around you over the next few weeks. You will see lights everywhere; on houses, on trees, candles in windows. Little lights will be everywhere.
We are entering the season of Advent when we anticipate the coming of Jesus once again this Christmas. We have the custom in our church of using an Advent wreath with four candles to mark the Sundays as we near Christmas. And please do notice: the lighting of the Advent candles is not a task for the clergy. For centuries the Church has said to Christians in this ever-darkening world and season; 'Go home, gather with those you love and light another candle on your Advent wreath at home. Don't wait for someone else to do it for you. You should light another candle!'
The message is clear. Your candle may seem small against the darkness, but light it anyway. And do that precisely when the darkness seems to be winning and life appears too overwhelming.
The candles on the Advent wreath remind us that Christ does not just call us to see the light; we are also called to be the light. The darkness will only get greater if we fail to be the light of Jesus right here and right now.
There is darkness everywhere. There is homelessness, hunger, human trafficking and suffering. But Jesus promises us that the darkness can be overcome. We are often paralyzed and frightened by the darkness.
Yet, Jesus calls us to not only to see the light but to be the light of the world. He says in Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world." And he meant it.
So now, it is time to light another candle. This season of Advent leads to the birth of the tiny One who is, after all, the Light of the World.
We can all choose now to look for the light and to be the light. At our Diocesan Convention our theme was "Called to be..."
In Advent I believe that we are "Called to be..." the light.
Canon Kate
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