The night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13:12
For those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere, the convergence of Advent and the longest, darkest days of the year maybe helps make the point of the season. Many times our residents share that when night comes and one cannot sleep, it is often a time of deep anxiety- “too much time to think”, one resident relates. On these winter nights, the wait for daylight can seem very long indeed.
This text, as becomes apparent in the next verse, is referring to behaviors of which one might be ashamed in the light of day. However, as we reflect just on this one verse, here in the midst of Advent, I wonder if we might reflect just on the day that is near. The day of salvation. The time of hope. The moment of birth that ends the waiting and brings new life. Is that not the armor of God’s love and light?
When life seems like a long night of anxiety, or shame, or trauma, or fear, or grief, or whatever you are carrying, here is God, sending a new day shining with the Christ glow that washes over us wearing the garment of God’s blessing and love.
Loving God of new days, bless us in the season, when night is long, with the assurance of what is to come, that we may live in hope and peace. Amen.
The Rev. Ghislaine Cotnoir is Director of Pastoral Care at The Hearth at Drexel and Artman.
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