I don't know about you, but for me, 2020 has been a year, unlike any other. To say that the pandemic has changed things is a gross understatement. Our daily patterns and rhythms are kerfluffle. We have had to mask, isolate, cancel, stop hugging, and postpone our lives. As we bring the year to a close, infection rates and death tolls continue to rise.
If that wasn't enough, 2020 dealt us more than a virus. Long festering injustice surfaced, demanding that people of conscience pay attention. Violence flared as hatred expressed itself in city streets and on social media. The economy bounces all around, benefiting some but hurting most. Unemployment and underemployment have exploded under COVID. Partisan politics separate family, friends, and church communities. Civil discourse seems to be gone; we quickly vilify and demonize 'the other' as the enemy in one-hundred-twenty words or less.
Whew! Any of these things would be enough to cause distress and despair. Combined, they have made us weary. In many ways, 2020 has been one long night of exhaustion. And the year isn't over yet. Anxiously, we might wonder, 'what's next?'
In part, the answer to that question is "the holidays." Thanksgiving and Christmas are times for traditions, gatherings, nostalgia, and sentimentality. Tis the season for us to celebrate and be merry. Each of us has a list of things that we do, people we see, food that we eat, and the places we visit.
Unfortunately, since COVID won't be taking a holiday vacation, we will need to adapt, postpone, and cancel things that make the season familiar and dear. More grief for our weary souls. More silent tears of the heart for us to cry.
In the midst of it all, the season of Advent arrives with promise and hope. Often, the glitz of a commercialized Christmas overshadows this simple four-week season of preparation. Instead of being big and bold, Advent waits quietly for the coming of Christ. Advent trusts in God's promise of restoration and new life. It is a time where lights shine, defiantly pushing back the night.
After the year that we have endured, it seems to me that we could all use a little Advent comfort and hope. It is time for us to embrace the gentle gifts of God's renewal, peace, and justice.
In Christ’s Light,
Walt
Light Dawns On a Weary World is a brand new daily devotional designed to open our hearts and minds to the blessing of Advent. For four weeks, we will welcome the dawn of God's coming light as we consider themes of assurance, comfort, hope, and courage. It will be an opportunity for our spirits to grow and strengthen.
Starting on November 29, the First Sunday of Advent, you will receive an email in time for your favorite morning beverage. It will contain an inspirational reading and a prayer that you can use as you light your daily Advent candles. I have designed each day to take no more than five minutes, so even the busiest among us can participate.
Cost? Light From This Hill makes use of Pay What It’s Worth pricing. Sign-up without paying anything. A week into your devotion, we will ask what the devotional is worth to you - you decide what to contribute and that’s what you pay. It’s simple and there is no risk to you. If you are an Annual Subscriber to Light From This Hill, you have already contributed to helping us provide these devotions - you won’t be asked to pay more.
Light From This Hill is committed to providing regular people with simple and refreshing ways to connect with God. Our devotionals are easy to access, theologically sound, written for the people in the pews, and can be adapted to fit in a variety of contexts. We provide affordable resources to individuals and small church pastors who are busy, overwhelmed and want something meaningful to nurture spiritual growth on a daily basis.
Light From This Hill is using Pay What It Is Worth pricing with this series. Here is how that works:
You sign up without a cost. After the first week of the devotional, we will ask you what you think these daily inspirations are worth to you. At that point, you will have the chance to make a payment of any amount. Regardless of what you decide to pay, Light From This Hill will continue to send the devotional to you. You Pay What It is Worth to you - not a penny more or less.
Annual Subscribers have already paid for access to all the devotions published in 2020. Thank you! Your support allows us to continue to offer refreshing inspirations throughout the year. If you are an Annual Subscriber, you are already on the list for Light Dawns On a Weary World. If you would like to become an Annual Subscribers (CLICK HERE).