Be Still This Advent
From The Pastor’s Desk—
After the (extremely successful) Pie Sale and Advent Wreath Workshop, Jen and I drove through town to pick up some of the yard signs advertising the event. We were on our way out to Provincetown to visit my mom, taking the back roads past the Transfer Station and through Truro. You may recall that it rained for most of that day and eventually cleared up, so there were many puddles on Bound Brook Island road. I’m not sure if it was something to do with the autumn light slanting in, or the particular clarity that followed the rain, but as we drove each of the puddles became a perfect mirror reflecting the sky. It looked as though it would be the simplest of things to simply step into one of those puddles and find yourself amidst the high, clear light and flocks of birds migrating south.
It was a beautiful, transient moment, and it got me thinking about the coming Advent season. Advent is a time when we pay special attention to the light shining above the manger, the growing light of our Advent wreath, and all of the light that brings joy to the dark places in our lives. As we read in the Gospel of John, the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.
Advent is a season of preparation: of waiting and attentiveness. If I had been preoccupied or distracted during our drive, I might not have registered the beauty of that moment. In times when the dark surrounds us, it can be difficult to keep our eyes attentive to the faint glimmer of new light dawning.
Much like making time for prayer or meditation, it can be difficult to maintain our attention during Advent. There are so many things to do, errands to run, preparations to make; likewise, our thoughts can dwell on loved ones who are lost or far away. All of this can contribute to pulling us out of the moment, cementing our attention on the past that was, or the future that will be, and never the here and now.
My prayer for each one of you (and for myself!) is that you will each find a time to be still during this season. May you attend to the light dawning in the world, and within your selves. May the hope, peace, joy, and love we celebrate fill your lives and your homes.
—Pastor Jon
