Reflections: The First Week of Advent 2017

It's the first week of Advent! The waiting has begun. Time to start decorating, shopping, and getting into the Christmas spirit. But as we start in to the Advent season we start with darkness. The scripture passage we read in church on Sunday is bleak at first, but ends with promise and dare I say - hope. 


Mark 13:24-37(NRSV)

The Coming of the Son of Man

24 “But in those days, after that suffering,    the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
25  and the stars will be falling from heaven
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

We lit the first Advent Candle this week - which is the Hope candle. So here are the questions I am thinking about this week: 

What are you hoping for during these next weeks of Advent?
What things can you do to prepare for the new year?
Where in my life am I wallowing in the darkness?
How can I show the love of God to someone who is also wallowing in darkness? 

This week - Light a candle. Say a prayer for someone you know who is having a hard time. Consider some ways you can simplify your days to make some room for recognizing how God is working in the word. Think about what gives you hope.