As we begin to step into this season of Advent, the wondering I hold is around darkness. Could it be that darkness has gotten a bad rap? I think for a long time I've viewed good vs bad as light vs dark. Holding to the truth that all good things shine light and that which happens in the dark must only be made of evil. However, years ago, when I began to seek out moments of quiet, to be still and held in the presence of God; I found that they were most available to me in the early morning, before the sunrise, while the lights in the house and the movement of the day were dark and still. It was in the darkness where I truly began to see.

When I think about the wiseman, I'm curious how many hours of darkness they sat in before the appearance of that bright beautiful star guided their night and changed their lives. Was it the intensity of the dark that carved a path for noticing? There's so much to be enjoyed and adored throughout this season that sparkles, but without the darkness of the womb, it lacks a shining glory.

For the next four weeks I am going to explore Advent through the themes of hope, love, joy, and peace in relation to the darkness, before the light of the world was born. If you would like to join me; you can sign up at the bottom of this page under “stay connected,” to receive an email every Sunday throughout Advent or check back here on Sunday mornings. If you scroll to the bottom of this page, you will see the four themes of Advent. Each week I will be sharing a downloadable pdf of the prayer and creative practices I am settling into for the week. You are welcome to download and print this for your own use as we walk this path together. Perhaps you’d like to pass it along to a friend and move through the weeks and practices with one another.

The prayer poem video below is offered as a way of carving out a deeper space within as you begin your time of reflection and prayer. Each time you come to this place, I encourage you to sit with the video first. Notice, as the days and weeks of Advent unfold, how the poem, music, and video stir within you.

Hope-Love-Joy-Peace