Looking Ahead to a Special Service in Advent

Lost in the night do the people yet languish,
longing for morning the darkness to vanquish,
plaintively sighing with hearts full of anguish.
Will not day come soon? Will not day come soon?
Nordic hymn translated by Olav Lee, 1859 – 1943
Evangelical Lutheran Worship No. 243

In Advent, while many of us are shopping in crowded malls, attending more than one party each week, and wondering how we could possibly eat one more Christmas cookie, there are people who are unable to participate fully in the joy around them. They are “lost.”

Perhaps they are lost in grief at the prospect of facing a holiday season without a loved one who died earlier in the year - or even many years ago. Perhaps they are lost in the struggle to find employment and somehow provide “christmas” for their family. They could be lost in loneliness, depression, or in the knowledge that old age in advancing on them. There could be any number of reasons and many may be lost in more than one of them.

December 21, also known as the winter solstice, is the longest night of the year. This year, we will observe a “Longest Night” service designed to bring messages of hope and deliverance through the intimacy of prayer and song, shadows and candlelight. Some will say that Tuesday of Christmas week is an odd time to have this service, but since it is right on the cusp of Christmas (when feelings of loss and grief are bound to be at their height) it really is exactly the right time to bring our burdens to Christ.

My brother Adam died at the age of 37 this past April. I’ll be inviting my brothers and sisters to this service. I’m going to invite friends who, as a family, have dealt with breast cancer this year. I’m also going to invite friends who have dealt with recent bitter disappointments.

Do you know someone who might benefit from hearing words that comfort, heal and deliver? Please invite them to this service. Better yet, say, “I’d love to come with you.”

The service will be on Tuesday, December 21st, in the nave.

“Christ is coming soon! Christ is coming soon!”