A few weeks ago I was worshiping in chilly stone churches in England, seeing my breath in the air as I joined in the responses and prayers. Morning prayer always including the Song of Zechariah, and evening prayer the Song of Mary. These two prayers Luke records for us in the first chapter of his gospel. A young mother-to-be who says Yes. A faithful priest who in his elder years questions God’s words. Both of them waiting.

Each day of saying these prayers, the words catch me:

• “He has filled the hungry with good things” (Mary in Luke 1:53)
• “Free to worship him without fear” (Zechariah in Luke 1:74)

Followed by the thought: I do not feel full; I do not feel free.

During the season of Advent (the four weeks leading up to Christmas), we have an opportunity to enact this waiting with Mary and Zechariah and everyone longing for fullness and freedom. We wrestle with the dark, waiting for the Light to break through. We follow the story, knowing the outcome: the Messiah has come!

And yet… we, too, still wait.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2, NIV).

And yet… we, too, still wait.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5, ESV).

And yet… we, too, still wait.

We know that Jesus has come, that He is with us even now, and that He will come again.

And yet… when life feels confusing and scary and weighty and fraught, when times are hard, when humanity is trampled, when the darkness feels as though it is pressing in, when we feel neither full nor free, how do we continue to wait in expectancy and hope? 

In Advent, we have the invitation to bring our yearnings and questions to God. We sit in the dark, knowing the Light will indeed break through and shine. We hold on to our True Hope.

If you’d like to do that in the company of others, we’d love to see you at our upcoming Coracle offerings exploring the themes of Advent. Below you’ll find more information, prayer resources, and book recommendations.

And, wherever you find yourself as you approach Advent, I hope you will take a few moments to pause, breathe deeply, say a prayer of welcome to the Prince of Peace, and light a candle to push back against the darkness.

Three Ways to Engage

Are you wondering, like me, how to enter this season with expectancy and hope (and to continue the walk after the season concludes)? Join us on Thursday, November 20 at Noon ET for our monthly online conversation, “Questions That Matter,” facilitated by Bill Haley. This month we take up the question: How are you beginning to think about Advent? What are some of your favorite resources? Sign up here to receive the Zoom link, or just reply to this email and let me know you’d like to participate.

Are you pondering how to live in peace in a fraught time? Consider coming away for 24 hours to our retreat house, Corhaven (“rest for the heart”), for “In Pursuit of Peace” an Advent retreat led by spiritual director Zoe Hansen. During this retreat, we will consider our longing for a peace that is lasting, how we participate in that peace, and how we share it with a hurting world. The retreat takes place December 5-6. More details and registration here.

Are you longing for your sense of awe to be renewed at the mind-blowing reality of Jesus with us, that God became a baby and dwelt among us? Set aside a few hours from the comfort of your home and join us for “God With Us,” an online retreat led by spiritual director Amy Boucher Pye on Saturday, December 13, at 10 a.m. ET. More details and registration here.

A Simple Breath Prayer

Breathe in: The light shines in the darkness.

Breathe out: The darkness has not overcome it.

Space for God: Advent Devotionals

Waiting for the Light: a special collection of previously recorded “Space for God” devotionals to help you walk through the Advent season.

Space for God: if you are not already registered for Space for God, you can sign up here. A number of our upcoming offerings will include Advent themes! All Space for God offerings are recorded and are available here.

Two Book Recommendations

Advent: The Season of Hope by Tish Harrison Warren. Part of the Fullness of Time series, this book provides a lovely introduction to the season of Advent, examining its place in church history and considering Advent’s themes, prayers, and practices.

Making Room in Advent: 25 Devotions for a Season of Wonder by Bette Dickinson. A beautiful devotional for the season, containing Bette Dickinson’s paintings, inviting us into a posture of noticing, reading, pondering, and praying. For a related offering, check out “Prepare the Way,” a Space for God devotional led by Bette.