We took the Interstate 5 home (average speed was 80 mph), and instead of rain we had darkness because we chose to drive home late at night to avoid the traffic. And in that darkness I was reminded of the black earth and the dark feelings that one must feel losing their home in a fire, or someone they love. But then I thought of those patches of green up the coast line, the sign of hope that broke through the scorched ground and remembered how God works. Resurrection!
Julie Polter describes the season of Advent best when she wrote, “Advent. The ending that is the beginning...when we ponder the second coming of Jesus before we celebrate the first.”
I like how her definition makes us look backwards and forwards at the same time, all while dealing current challenges right in front of us. We look forward and find hope that came to us long before we even knew what hope was, or that we needed it. This is important because it is here, in the now, when in our darkest places we are able to come through the fire to find God. Christmas. Easter. Incarnation. Resurrection. Hope. And Joy.