A Mindful Advent: One Candle

Watchful waiting, a mindful Advent. If we are truly awake and alive our December is one of pause, gratefulness and peace: one of realizing how precious it is to have these days anticipating one coming or another.

It begins with the light of one candle. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." [John 8:12]  
As a seeker of the sunrise, this first light is cherished, especially on the coldest mornings of the year. This first light is the promise of today, of warmth, hope, a calling and a coming, as it is every morning and in this Advent. Ever-present, as it is on this first day of Advent, as "continuous as the stars that shine and twinkle on the Milky Way" [Daffodils, William Wordsworth Longfellow]  this light says "Yes, I am here, I am coming. Be peaceful". 

Be peaceful. I have been studying about mood lately: how mood informs our capacity for the possibility of our lives. This Advent we can choose a mood of hope or one of despair. And as we learned in Fr. George Luck's poignant sermon this morning at St. Matthew's Cathedral Church: "Hope only comes when we are ready for a change."

Be peaceful. Be ready. be prepared: prepared for a different season of Advent. We have the gift of 27 days. I am hopeful this Advent will be different. 

I am hopeful this Advent will be simple: as simple as the age-old practice of lighting a candle. One candle. The one that lights the beautiful faces of children, the one that lights our table, our homes, our temples and churches. This universal practice is the start of a change: a glorious change in all of us. Light one candle for us: knowing that the dawn of a change is coming. We are aware and we will be ready.