Advent direction

I haven’t had the restful nearly week off I’d planned for various unforeseen reasons and also

having not going away it was not possible to not hear about some stuff. Ripon is tiny! 

Tonight I was led to go into Leeds city centre for a Blue Christmas service at the huge Unitarian church in the City Square. I loathe city driving and I got into the wrong lane on several occasions. It’s easy to lose direction. I love the signs on the car park doors. Take a picture so you don’t forget where you left your car! 

The service tonight led by members of Leeds Sanctuary was very simple but very peaceful. Four Advent candles were lit, one to remember loved ones we’ve lost, one to think about hard things or changes in circumstances we’ve had to face this year, one for the world and one to remember those who have been light for us. We all had night lights to light to go with each lit candle and a luggage label to name baggage we need to let go of. It was a very blessed time and I’m glad I went.

The minister who led the service reminded us that light beckons us forward but we have to acknowledge our darkness but that the darkness can’t put the light out. We need a place to protest. It was maybe the right venue! The chapel at Mill Hill the notice board outside said has been a place of radical dissent since the late 17th century! I remember being told a candle lit say to the darkness I beg to differ. So tonight as well as doing something for me to receive before endless carol services, nursing home visits, school stuff, and Christmas duties threaten to overwhelm me, I  remembered all who this year are struggling with illness, changes and a lack of energy. 

Outside in the City Square was Leeds Christmas market. This was a nice space for people also to seek some comfort and joy and peace. I’m not sure the comfort of a spiced mulled wine or a long German sausage in a bread roll lasts long but hey we all need a bit of a different narrative for a bit.

We need where life is tough to say to each other there is light and there is hope. The light cannot be extinguished. This isn’t about temporary twee sugary sweet Jesus is here and so there are no problems, it is about light shining in the darkness and the hope of incarnation where it is dark for us and our knowing that there can be transformation. This Mary Oliver poem popped up while I was having a mulled wine - my prayer tonight ten days into Advent is that light might lead us all forward and that we might know hope as a fighter and a screamer.