Pastor Devotion: We are in the season of Advent

By Pastor Nissa Peterson

Chatfield and Root Prairie

Lutheran Churches

Advent always falls at the darkest time of the year. In this part of the world, it is typically fully dark by supper time. Because of the darkness of night that arrives so early in Advent, a primary symbol of the season of Advent is LIGHT! We light Advent candles and talk about the coming of Christ, the light of the world. The Advent candles remind us that no matter how pervasive the night may feel, there is light in the darkness. Even the light of one small candle on the Advent wreath reminds us that the darkness will not last forever.

Christ is the light of the world who was born on Christmas – and who is with us in our darkest, scariest, most uncertain moments. The light of Christ gives us hope when life feels dark and heavy.

Another primary symbol of the season of Advent is waiting. We wait for the longer days to come. We wait for the far-off arrival of spring. We wait for Jesus to be born on Christmas morning. We wait for opening presents under our trees. We wait for visits with loved ones. And this year, we wait for an end to pandemic restrictions and fears and illnesses.

The waiting is so hard. We are never eager to sit and wait. We know what comes – we know how good and wonderful it is. And we would really rather have that thing RIGHT NOW! But the waiting is part of the joy! Waiting doesn’t usually feel joyful in the moment – it can feel anxious, painful, or plain boring. But waiting gives us a sense of anticipation. Waiting lets us ponder the joys and wonder of what we wait for – making it all the sweeter when it finally arrives.

This year, the season of Advent feels particularly poignant to me. I feel the weight of waiting for the end of the pandemic more than ever. We are going into a third year of the pandemic. I have been personally affected by the pandemic with sickness affecting my family, my child’s classroom, and my congregation members.

I am at a point where the waiting feels like it is in the total darkness of night. There is no end in sight. And yet, there is a light in the darkness, to give me hope.

I find light in the fact that my young child has gotten a vaccine. I find light in the fact that my church can still gather for worship. I find light in the fact that Jesus promises to be born again at Christmas – even into the deep brokenness of our world.

I invite you into this season of Advent waiting together with all Christians. As you wait, look for the light of Christ amid any darkness you encounter. Because the light shines in the darkness – and the darkness did not overcome it (John 1:5).

Peace, Pastor Nissa