Third week of Advent

I have begun to appreciate how Advent is a season of blessed paradox. It is a time when we are invited to take stock of our lives (and therefore may be for some a time for penitence). At the same time it is a season preparing us for joyous celebration of God's love that becomes incarnate in the person of Jesus Christ.

As I get older, life is more and more a paradox and it is no longer a surprise or uncomfortable that even many aspects of the faith are not as simplistic as we might prefer for security's sake. It is always uncomfortable to face questions about ourselves, about life and God that have multiple answers as we allow ourselves to delve into many layers of meaning.

Yet, Advent is a time when we are reminded that there is darkness (the reality) and yet the Light overcomes that darkness (another Reality). In this world, we live in both realms. Sometimes we are much more aware of the 'reality' (the pains and imperfections, our frailty) and at other times by the grace of God we grow more and more aware of 'what is real yet unseen', through faith.

Advent is a time when the daily Scripture readings from the prophet Isaiah help us name our longings for God.......we long for his coming in glory, we remember with gratitude and celebrate his gift of love that was unwrapped for us 2000 plus years ago.....and we await his coming each and every day into our lives......