“The world feels dim, but glory grows in the dark.”

As a prayer for Advent this year Cole Arthur Riley offers, "the world feels dim, but glory grows in the dark." She reminds us that the glory we are waiting for is not “a God who delights in conquering the earth but who came in tenderness to bring healing and liberation.”

As we begin our journey through this season reminded of what was and is and is to come, we start out in hope.

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:4-5 NIV

This Advent, consider the suggestion of John- and Genesis- that “the darkness” is what is, and “the light” is what comes. We are rooted in the first and we await the second, but our lives find meaning through them both.

Darkness can be sacred, offering rest and focus, and it is rife with creative possibility. The people John’s writing to would have experienced the return of light each morning as what made it possible for them to see and navigate the world around them, to know themselves and each other, and to work, learn, and discover. The darkness allows us to see the stars, but is also what offers us the promise of a new sunrise.

Enjoy the expectation of what's to come. Hold hope for what could be birthed forth even when things feel dim. And when our hope falters, may we encounter the face of God in those around us.

As we prayed on Sunday: renew us in hope, that we may work toward Christ's advent of peace among all nations. God of promise, God of hope, into our darkness come.

In hope,
Jordyn

Devotions this season are inspired by 2020 Advent lessons adapted from Shadow and Light by Tsh Oxenreider and In Light and Darkness published by Illustrated Ministries. Aspects of the Sunday church service, the book Honest Advent that we're using in Thursday night bible study, and Cole Arthur Riley's "Holy Dark Advent" at Black Liturgies were also referenced this week and would each make a great option for extended study.

If you are looking for a simple daily practice this season, you can download Kate Bowler's A Season of Waiting Advent Devotional here.