Hope Part 2

Lighting a candle of hope when the night is falling around is an act of courage.
Lighting a candle of hope against the night creeping in is a deep act of prayer.
Lighting a candle of hope to keep the night at the edges is to be open to God's presence even here and now.

The candle may not solve Syria, but it might help you see the suffering of those half a world away.
The candle may not solve fear, but it might remind you that fear is not the only voice in the world.
The candle may not solve hopelessness, but it might help us see our pain clearer and deeper.

We light one candle of hope at the beginning of a new church year not only to light the way to Bethlehem, but to light the way for the coming 365 days.
We light one candle of hope at the beginning of a new church because hope is first sign post we need to notice and name.

What hopes are stirring and swirling in you right now?
Seriously...stop...light a candle...and name your hopes

Do some of those hopes seem foolish?  Like wishful thinking?  Like a thing with feathers that might be whisked away with the slightest breeze?  Keep going deeper.

Do some of those hopes seem vulnerable, a bit of timidity and trepidation to admit them out loud?
Good!  The candle is helping!

Have some of those hopes been so covered by years of cynicism and criticism and concerns that others just won't understand?  Because our hopes need to first be spoken to God and ourselves.

We need to live with hope day-after-day.

Barbara Kingsolver says, the least we can do is build a place for our hopes...and the most we can do is live inside that place where hope is at.

As we take the first tentative steps toward Bethlehem may the movement awaken hopes now and for months to come.  And may your hopes keep you company as we journey to the stable where hope is born anew and afresh even here and now.

Advent Blessings ~