When i began reading this I wasn’t aware that it was from 10 years ago; it’s all still so true today! Thank you for helping to put words to the longings I’m feeling.
"O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Child of God appear..." ~ is followed by "Rejoice! Rejoice!" ~ Captivity, exile & loneliness gave birth to joy. Loneliness is not a weakness, sin or disease, though it is stigmatized and ignored. Loneliness is a portal to creativity, compassion, community-building, and joy! Have a wholesome Advent, Sarah & readers... longing, loneliness, and loveliness included. ~ Dwight Lee Wolter, author, "The Gospel of Loneliness."
Sarah, you speak to my soul, saying the words I can not form but feel in my heart. Thank you.
Over the years, I have found the Advent season to be profoundly difficult--a season of contradictions and emotional roller coaster highs and lows. Being single all my life, with no children, the sudden focus on TV and in the movies, in advertisements and song, on family, couples snuggled together before fires, children hugging parents after opening the gift the always wanted, couples finding true love--that was difficult. I didn't understand why I was always depressed during the holiday season, year after year because I beleived in the joyous message of Christmas. That is not to say that the whole season was miserable, only that I could feel that heaviness and didn't understand it. What I did recognize was, there were special moments when the longing for something was erased--replaced by a quiet gladness. The Christmas Pageant, which for many years I have written and/or directed, was one such time. The simplicity of young hearts embracing the coming Jesus, getting excited with the Shepherds, and singing with the joy of the angels, even as halos slipped down or were thrown off, is magical. Their faith in the "story" is a balm--it is the faith of one who has not yet been disillusioned; and it brings to mind Jesus' statement, "Unless you become as a little child..." The Christmas play was a gift the young people gave to the congregation, celebrating the gift of God's gift to us.
Last year, I realized the most I could say about the advent season was that I, like the three kings of the orient, am 'still proceeding'. I'm grateful for that.
Beautiful, heartfelt post that not only describes but also elicits longing. Reminded me of Otis Moss’s recent book Dancing in the Darkness. Thanks for your work!
“….weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5
Wow, this article is so poignant. “If Christmas is for the joy, then Advent is for the longing.” 👏 I've never studied, practiced or looked into Advent until this year (Christmas is usually a hard time). But the underlying theme of a hopeful longing of this season resonates big time for me right now.
A beautiful start and reminder of Christmas. We get thrown new distractions and forget what the holiday season is about. Weeping and dancing in the dark are soothing but are these enough to bring us back to light?
Thank you for speaking about what is true to many of our hearts. I teared up reading this because it’s the longing I am feeling in this season. I am grateful for your timeless words.
Your words from a decade ago still ring so true today. Last year, I held the song “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” closely during Advent, reflecting on the idea of standing at the threshold of the already and the not yet. Thanks for sharing.
When i began reading this I wasn’t aware that it was from 10 years ago; it’s all still so true today! Thank you for helping to put words to the longings I’m feeling.
"O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Child of God appear..." ~ is followed by "Rejoice! Rejoice!" ~ Captivity, exile & loneliness gave birth to joy. Loneliness is not a weakness, sin or disease, though it is stigmatized and ignored. Loneliness is a portal to creativity, compassion, community-building, and joy! Have a wholesome Advent, Sarah & readers... longing, loneliness, and loveliness included. ~ Dwight Lee Wolter, author, "The Gospel of Loneliness."
Oh! Love this “If Christmas is for the joy, then Advent is for the longing.”
Using this for my quote of the month for December!
Sarah, you speak to my soul, saying the words I can not form but feel in my heart. Thank you.
Over the years, I have found the Advent season to be profoundly difficult--a season of contradictions and emotional roller coaster highs and lows. Being single all my life, with no children, the sudden focus on TV and in the movies, in advertisements and song, on family, couples snuggled together before fires, children hugging parents after opening the gift the always wanted, couples finding true love--that was difficult. I didn't understand why I was always depressed during the holiday season, year after year because I beleived in the joyous message of Christmas. That is not to say that the whole season was miserable, only that I could feel that heaviness and didn't understand it. What I did recognize was, there were special moments when the longing for something was erased--replaced by a quiet gladness. The Christmas Pageant, which for many years I have written and/or directed, was one such time. The simplicity of young hearts embracing the coming Jesus, getting excited with the Shepherds, and singing with the joy of the angels, even as halos slipped down or were thrown off, is magical. Their faith in the "story" is a balm--it is the faith of one who has not yet been disillusioned; and it brings to mind Jesus' statement, "Unless you become as a little child..." The Christmas play was a gift the young people gave to the congregation, celebrating the gift of God's gift to us.
Last year, I realized the most I could say about the advent season was that I, like the three kings of the orient, am 'still proceeding'. I'm grateful for that.
Sarah, your Advent posts have touched my heart for years, way back to those early days of blogging.
Thank you for keeping up the tradition. It wouldn't be Christmas without your familiar voice and soul-searching presence ...
Beautiful, heartfelt post that not only describes but also elicits longing. Reminded me of Otis Moss’s recent book Dancing in the Darkness. Thanks for your work!
As long as you interact with divine beings, you will know longing.
“….weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5
Wow, this article is so poignant. “If Christmas is for the joy, then Advent is for the longing.” 👏 I've never studied, practiced or looked into Advent until this year (Christmas is usually a hard time). But the underlying theme of a hopeful longing of this season resonates big time for me right now.
Magnificent! You really clarify the meaning of Advent in a way that I’d never understood it before.
Beautiful
Dear Sarah, thank you for your words. They make me cry and describe so well what I feel deep inside.
Wish you a special time of Advent, yes waiting and dance in the dark with all my questions, I am not alone, big hug Annemarie ( the Netherlands)
You are such a beautiful writer. Thank you
A beautiful start and reminder of Christmas. We get thrown new distractions and forget what the holiday season is about. Weeping and dancing in the dark are soothing but are these enough to bring us back to light?
Thank you for speaking about what is true to many of our hearts. I teared up reading this because it’s the longing I am feeling in this season. I am grateful for your timeless words.
Your words from a decade ago still ring so true today. Last year, I held the song “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” closely during Advent, reflecting on the idea of standing at the threshold of the already and the not yet. Thanks for sharing.