the light still shines . . . . dim, but redeeming

the light still shines . . . dim, but redeeming in its divine way.

this iris bulb bloomed this past week in our prayer garden; it has three blooms, and when i snapped this picture i was thinking, 'great!  three blooms of great joy as we move into the lighting of the candle of joy on sunday.

ironic, what a difference a week makes!

my mom fell, hitting her head, and  landing in icu; now she is in the care of hospice in a board and care home. 

a senseless shooting at sandy hook elementary leaves 26 people, mostly first graders, dead in this season of advent -- the season in which we anticipate new life!

so much discussion about newtown ct since friday.  clergy around the country contemplated what it would be like to 'celebrate' this third sunday of advent; symbolically the sunday of joy....do we light the pink candle of joy, or do we leave this flame, unlit?

do we speak the prophetic voice of shame, or bring the good news that light overcomes even our most tragic times....as the gospeler john said, 'we who sad in darkness have seen a great light'.  i believe we do both.  prophetic words are not void of hope.

i elected to have our community light the candle of joy; symbolizing that god's light does shine in our most desperate times!  we light the advent wreath as a sign of hope and peace; we anticipate with joy that one day the hope of peace will be realized, when the tragic events of our world will be recognized for what they are: our human struggle with life.  one day our tragic lives will turn with joy to the recognition that love is what we have been missing -- and yet love has been here all along!

i hold those families and the community, and communities throughout the world in my prayers and in my heart;  may each of us be light-bearers!   i encourage you to share kindness -- the gift we are sorely lacking, and to make great strides in discovering and sharing peace; to advocate for safety and care in our world. 

and most of all, i encourage us to seek the light; to share the light; to be the light of the one who has lit our way with love.  in this season, and in every season, love can be the only way; love is the way, the truth and the life.  we are called to be the bearers of this great light. 

be this hope.  be this peace.  be this joy to someone today, and everyday.  we who anticipate the love...be this love to everyone you meet; together, let us be the living christ in this time and space.