Holy darkness

Dear Saints!

Happy new (church) year! Just, when we are in the darkest time of the year. Cuddling up under blankets with holiday lights and candles turning rooms into cozy spots. When the sun sets at 5 pm and evenings feel strangely long. When hot chocolate tempts us into couch potatoes – and there is no need to feel bad about it.

I love that this is the time that we are awaiting the birth of Jesus. Not because the darkness needs to end. But because the darkness is such a holy place to be in. Such a holy time. Such a great place to wait for the unknown, knowing that it will be life-changing, nevertheless. And yet, for now, we are in darkness. Which helps us see while staying under the radar for just a little longer. Until we are truly ready to enter (back) into this world.

“Holy Darkness” by Dan Schutte

It's a truly holy, a blessed time, this Advent time. A time of anticipation and “not yet”. A time of wonder and miraculous connections. A time of gingerbread and mulled wine, candles and stories, and the hope that one day, we will see God in everything and everybody. In the darkness, in the stranger, in the unknown future hanging heavily over our lives. That our world will be transcended by love without bragging about it in the world. That whatever the light will show, we have already experienced in the darkness. That there is no binary world. Just God’s world, a space for all.

This month, we will finally reopen our sanctuary. A place that has been in the dark for almost 2 years, waiting to host us again. Waiting to be filled with voices and songs and emotions. We have waited so long. In the darkness yet not hopeless. Because we know that God is with us, walks with us through darkness and day, sun dawn and sun set. Because we know that there is no prize to be earned. That we make the way by walking. And that most of that day will be in the darkness, the holy darkness that comes when we let God lead our ways. When we embrace God’s holy night and God’s silence. God is with us and is one of us. And sometimes, it’s easier to notice that when we are in the darkness. When we don’t think that we have full control over our future.

May your Advent be filled with moments of holy darkness and revelations! This song might inspire you.

Pastor Tia!