Advent

December 11, 2023

The Ninth Day of Advent

Yesterday, while I was wrapping a few Christmas gifts, this thought came to me, like a mighty wave, washing over me, then lifting me upon its wake, carrying me to a place of solitude, transporting me to a sea of tranquility.  And there I stayed, for a while.  My eyes must have been closed.  Strangely, I do not remember.  What I do recall is a complete peace, surrounding me, holding me, suspending me from anything worldly.  My mind seemed blank; the void interrupted by my one question.  “What shall I bring Thee?”  With that question asked, I was returned to the table next to the Christmas tree, tape still in hand, ribbons nearby.  Throughout the day I repeated the question I heard myself ask at the sea of tranquility.  The answer did not come until I lit the first and second candles on the Advent wreath, at sunset last night.  My light.  My light!  I shall give you the gift of my light.  I shall not let it dim or go out.  Every day I will carry my light into the world.  Kindness will be the ribbons, adorning the gift, and compassion will be the song of my light.  I will carry my light all through the day, and into the night.  What shall I bring Thee?  I shall bring Thee my light.

On this ninth day of Advent, 2023, the reading I have chosen is from Isaiah 11:7-9.

The Reading

December 9, 2023

“The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.   The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
 They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea..”  Isaiah 11:7-9