Advent Walking

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

John 1:5

We gather under the big oak. The light of lanterns hangs low. By day, we walk in the world, and boy it's been a day. Coming from pageant practice, we race in the rain with little rest and life feeling like a test. One angel has momentarily lost her song of happiness. The pressure to perform weighing heavy on wings that were made for soaring. We bicker in the car and I'm asking why are we here under this oak? We have come to walk words.

The walkway is wet. The heavens let loose water today, but thankfully this moment is dry. We begin walking and we follow the light. Soon, walkers fall silent, and the line of light slowly advances in the darkness. Voices hush and still, and even the wind is silent. I see what I'm sure is the North Star, but really is probably Saturn. One can wish. We walk on and the wind decides to gust, snuffing out our light. Several attempts later, it is re-lit, soon to be re-extinguished. We give up and follow the light in front of us. Surely, as we march in the darkness of the world, we also walk towards the light. Words call out from the darkness and meet pondering souls on the walkway.

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)

A angelic sphere of black slate opens up above us, and starlight twinkles through. Every so often, divine words interrupt the darkness and our thoughts. Little boy begins to flag. He is not grumpy, but slowing. I am tugging on a tired body. We walk around the dark abyss of a pond. He is intrigued. Mom, I just saw a head pop up. And I believe him. In the darkness, who knows what can happen? Silence comes again, and we walk and walk. His boots go, thud, thud, scuffle. Thud, thud, scuffle. Mom, is this how long they walked? To be small is to understand the value of great distances. He fathoms, what I can only try to feel. He asks, How long until the manger? I realize, isn't that what we all want? We just want to get there and see the manger. He's sure he's walking the same great distance Mary and Joseph walked and through his walk, I really do see the manger. The words come alive and I get it. 

He marched resolutely into the darkness, that you and I might walk in the light. He did not waiver, He walked. 

The heavens open up and wash us. A down pour of watery words released to revive the weary. The washing of the world by the Word. Soon, the clubhouse looms large with an other worldly light. We march into the world. Walking by lighted windows, diners seated by candle light dangle crystal wine glasses. A diamond commercial is on the big screen screaming bling. And it doesn't mean anything. 

John 1:1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Tonight we participated in an Advent Walk. 

Find one near you, or create one! 

Walk the Word in the woods.