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“You have hidden your face from us.” Isaiah 64:7

I always feel a little subversive, like I’m in hiding, holding with secret knowledge when Advent comes. It is becoming less and less a season that the world knows, and even many Christian traditions do not observe it. But we still know the value of waiting in the darkness, trusting the return of the light and the Light of Christ. I often turn to a book by Jan Richardson this time of year called Night Visions: searching the shadows of advent and Christmas.(United Church Press, 1998).  On the beginning page of her book she quotes Jack Boozer:

“In this strange season where we are suspended between realization and expectation, may we be found honest about the darkness and more perceptive of the light.”

“Honest about the darkness.” As the world begins the whirl of Christmas even before Halloween now, we are the ones that can hold the space for truth. Advent comes at the darkest time of the year and does not turn away from the challenges of waiting, of wondering, of despairing, of doubting, of grieving and yet always sensing as Richardson says, “something in the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before.”

So the spiritual practices for the next few weeks will center on these themes: Wait. Breathe, Slow down. Be silent. Wonder. Expect.  

It is a strange season and not one most like to face. But as people of faith, can we be honest about the darkness? Ask yourself: “Where am I right now as Advent begins? Am I already celebrating Christmas or is there room now for the darkness to deepen me?” Is there a place within me that I can just acknowledge is not comfortable? Am I anxious about waiting and wondering? Am I feeling God has hidden God’s face from me? 

Take a breath. Let it be.  

Pastor Marcia Wakeland is a retired ELCA pastor, a spiritual director and a listening advocate. She is interested in the actual experience of having faith and how that is lived out. She can be reached at mwakeland@gmail.com for comments or more questions Her ongoing blog of living out spiritual practices is listeninglife.live