First Sunday of Advent

Today is the first Sunday of Advent and we light the candle of hope and expectation. This first candle reminds us of the light of hope found in the prophets. God told his people through the prophets that He would one day send a deliverer, a savior.

Our reading this morning came from Psalm 130:

1 Out of the depths I call to you, Lord! 2 Lord, listen to my voice; let your ears be attentive to my cry for help.

3 Lord, if you kept an account of iniquities, Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness, so that you may be revered.

5 I wait for the Lord; I wait and put my hope in his word. 6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning— more than watchmen for the morning.

7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord. For there is faithful love with the Lord, and with him is redemption in abundance. 8 And he will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Reading through, the watchmen metaphor captured my imagination. The psalmist describes waiting on God more that a watchmen for the break of day. A good watchmen doesn't sit around twiddling thumbs until daylight. Watchmen work while they wait on the morning. Carrying small beacons of light through the encroaching dark. An eye on the horizon and an eye on the shadows. Actively pushing back the darkness until the true light emerges. The second Sonrise that will restore all things. May we be the lights of world that Jesus called us to be so that others may see and give glory. May we not cover and hide our flame, but set it out for all to see. For the darkness can not, will not overcome it.