Advent 1 – Hope in the Darkness
By Lynda Wake
Over the first four decades of my life, Advent was always filled with joyful anticipation. Here in the Land Down Under, the holy season falls within the sunrays of summer. So, after all the yummy festive desserts are devoured, we usually pack up our lovely new gifts, and head off to enjoy our annual leave – giving us yet another reason to be excited for Christmas time.
However, the Christmas of 2010 was like no other. There was no excitement, and none of the usual joy in our Christmas preparations. After receiving the dreadful diagnosis of our young daughter Bethany’s aggressive brain cancer eight months earlier, the shadows of death had descended upon us all. Now, it was becoming obvious from her renewed struggle with swallowing that our girl’s condition had worsened. Yes, this Christmas was going to be very different, as was soon confirmed by the paediatric palliative care team.
On Christmas Eve, the doctors gently broke the news that as soon as the tumour affected her brain stem, Bethany’s breathing would cease. In their opinion, it could happen that very night, and we were urged us to say our goodbyes as soon as possible. My tortured mother’s heart cried out: ‘No Lord! Not in this way! Not at Christmas!’
Amazingly, Bethany got through that night and many more. She lived another 11 weeks on earth with us, and we were able to express our precious goodbyes and exchange special Christmas gifts with each other. In the years since, I have often wondered why the intensity of our pain was centred around Christmas. For the rest of this earthly life, Christmas will be tainted with memories of this dark time that ripped apart the fabric of our family.
Yet, was there ever a time when we needed ‘Christ-mas’ more? This was indeed the very moment we needed the hope of Immanuel – God with us (Isaiah 7:14 & Matthew 1:23). How else could we have lived through the horrors of that time, and the grieving years since, without the certainty of Immanuel – the Saviour of the world, and every broken heart, coming to deliver us from sin and death?
Surely we needed God’s resurrection hope back then, and when I still need him to light up the darkness as memories, longings, and grief all converge and threaten to bury me in despair, I remember what Jesus said: ‘I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ (John 8:12 NIVUK)
Perhaps you find yourself blanketed in some form of darkness as we approach a new Christmas season? Beloved one, I urge you to choose hope, and take heart. The Light of the World invites us to walk with him, immersed in his light-filled life that destroys all darkness!
When I miss our Bethany, one practice that helps me build hope is lighting a candle. As the little flame flickers and sweet fragrance permeates the room, I am reminded of Immanuel’s continual presence. His loving company strengthens me to patiently wait with him until all his beautiful promises are fulfilled.
Lighting candles is a common Advent practice too. So, please join me this year in lighting a candle as we pray together: Lord Jesus, Light of the World, help us to choose hope as we prepare for another Christmas. Where we are weighed down with oppressing darkness, please lighten our hearts, and give us grace to live with you as children of the light. Amen.
Waiting Well With Jesus
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