“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 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 1:1-5
It is both the first day of December and the first Sunday of advent. For the first Sunday of advent last year, I wrote a poem called, “Advent: The First Candle.” The first candle of advent symbolizes hope and represents the prophecies made about the coming Messiah.
I’m increasingly affected by the darkness around me: death, loss, tragedy, accidents, disease, war, hunger, greed, and selfishness seem to press in around me more than they have in the past. Life is unfair! I yell.
And yet. The prophets spoke about a day when the darkness would pass away. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” The darkness isn’t gone yet. There are days when it seems like the only force, and then a flicker of hope, a flicker of light. The darkness has not overcome the light. “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.”
On this first Sunday of advent, remember the presence of the Light, store it away inside, let it warm you, and then embrace another so they might feel that light, that hope hot enough to kill the darkness.
Advent Activity: Make Hot Cocoa
For an extra special and easy homemade hot cocoa to warm your spirit, try two cups of almond milk heated to boiling on the stove, one tablespoon or so of honey, and two sizable chunks of real good dark chocolate melted in. Serve to the eager little snowpeople in your world, or enjoy all by yourself next to a glowing fireplace (with a little bit of Bailey’s, maybe?).
Sarah Marie Wells 