December is a paradox of longing and joy. We move through the days of Advent waiting for and anticipating the coming of the Christ Child. Here the church calendar begins, acknowledging the darkness in which we long for light and hope.
Longing and grief walk together, uneasy companions on difficult paths. Grief over the wars in Ukraine and Israel mingle with longing for peace and resolution. I long for loved ones to run to Jesus' open arms. Like the Psalmist, I stretch out my hands to my Lord, longing for him like a prairie dustbowl longs for rain. I ache with longing for the day when all things, big and small, will be made whole and right.
One of the most beautiful Advent hymns says,
When we long for wholeness and healing, we admit our brokenness and inadequacy. Without longing, joy is incomplete. And there is great joy as we celebrate Jesus' birth, for he is our salvation.
Lorrie Orr writes from Vancouver Island where sadly, there will be no snow for Christmas. Lights will twinkle and joy will prevail because Jesus is the fulfillment of her longing heart.
Thank you, dear Lorrie, for this lovely devotional. Yes, "Longing and grief walk together, uneasy companions on difficult paths."
ReplyDeleteSo beautifully said. And so true.
Merry Christmas.
Thank you, Wendy, for your always encouraging words on every post. They are so appreciated. Merry Christmas.
DeleteHi Lorrie! I love this thought of "longing." Thank you for your words. A longing for light and hope is motivation enough for writers who are Christians to keep on writing messages of hope. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alan. I thought your post on Longing for Loveliness made a good companion for this post. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
DeleteThanks for adding new thoughts to one of my favourite Christmas songs. I add to what our previous writers have commented on, that we acknowledge "the darkness in which we long for light and hope." The thought that keeps recurring to me this Christmas is, "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the shadow of death, upon them has the light shone" (Isaiah 9:2). That is also my prayer for the darkness of the world today.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandi. That verse from Isaiah is one that says so much about our world and the need for the Light of the world. Merry Christmas.
DeleteLovely.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Tracy!
DeleteAmen. I too ache for the day when all things, big and small, will be made right and whole. I am so thankful we can absolutely believe and trust that one day this longing will be fulfilled!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Michelle. We long and we hope and we have confidence!
DeleteOh Lorrie, you caught the essence of longing in this beautiful piece. I love what you shared. Oooo, for the day when all shall be well. How our hearts long.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brenda.
DeleteThanks, Lorrie, for this heartfelt, beautiful post. Wonderful. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
DeleteYour reflection beautifully captures the paradox of December – the interplay of longing and joy. It's a poignant reminder of the complex emotions that can accompany this season. Your words about longing and grief as uneasy companions resonate deeply, especially in the face of the world's challenges. The hymn "O Come, O Come Immanuel" adds a profound layer to your reflection, emphasizing the significance of longing for wholeness and healing. May the joy of Jesus' birth bring comfort and hope, and may your Advent be filled with moments of peace and reflection.
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Lorrie, I loved your thoughts about longing and joy. You summed it up nicely. "When we long for wholeness and healing, we admit our brokenness and inadequacy. Without longing, joy is incomplete. And there is great joy as we celebrate Jesus' birth, for he is our salvation."
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas with much joy!
Thank you for the sincere thoughts and mentioning Ukraine. A Happy New Year to you, Lorrie.
ReplyDelete