One Candle at a Time

The season of Advent began this past Sunday. While I am not so concerned that we put off all things Christmas, it can be a strange season to find ourselves in. One writer I appreciate likes to say that Christmas is “all fa la la la la” and the most wonderful time of year (supposedly). But Advent is “we’re in the dark, holding a candle hoping the light shows up soon.” 

It can be a strange existence for Christians who desire to enter fully into both the Advent and Christmas seasons. I know I love the hopeful anticipation that builds in Advent till that moment we sing by candlelight on Christmas Eve and we’re reminded that this dark world isn’t so dark afterall. I also love to sing Christmas carols and read Christmas stories as much as possible. It can be difficult to live in the tension between Advent and Christmas. Each season offers wonderful gifts and yet it can feel like Christmas just takes over, leaving poor Advent with little time to shine. 

There is at least one thing, however, about the season of Advent that I don’t think we should overlook - and that is the honesty of the season.  We need the honesty of Advent to celebrate Christmas fully. Advent is a season of honesty. It’s a season in which we get to tell the truth about our world and our lives, and it doesn’t mean there is any less reason for hope. It’s a season to tell the truth about the dark while welcoming the light. 

The prophet Isaiah’s words of hope invite us to “walk in the light of the Lord.” (2:5) Advent is not all darkness. Advent, as Kate Bowler says, is “pushing back the darkness one candle at a time.”