The Gift of Hope
The Heavens — photo taken by Laurel Pepin
Dear Soul Friends,
Today is the first Monday in Advent. I loved Advent as a child. My mother would buy me an Advent calendar that marked the days until Christmas. Each morning before breakfast, I would open the calendar window to see the picture inside. It was a time of preparation as we decorated the house, attended choir practice to learn Christmas music, repaired angel and shepherd costumes for the Nativity play, and baked cookies and cakes for the church bake sale to raise money for a local charity. Waiting for Christmas was a time of expectant hope. Something good was about to happen.
Advent is also a mysterious time. A soul time. Marking the longest days of winter and the season of darkness, the light of the universe guides us into the mystery of the cosmos. On winter evenings before dinner, my mother used to walk her dachshunds. I remember bundling up in my snowsuit and walking with her one evening when I was about five. “Look at the heavens,” she said as we gazed up at the sky. “Aren’t they magnificent? They always remind me that I am never alone.”
Advent is a season for contemplation and reflection as we wait for the revelation and birth of new light and love in the world. In the church year, it is the season to become channels of hope, peace, joy and love. This is the week of hope.
The other day I received a text from a soul friend of mine—a minister who I have known for many years who now lives on the West Coast. “Can you call me?” he asked. “I have just been diagnosed with stage four cancer. I want to find a way to pray about this.” I felt the wind get knocked out of me as I read the message. I was heartbroken. What would I say to him? Were there words for this?
“I love Celtic encircling prayers,” I said as I sat with my head in my hands listening to his story. “They encompass you in Holy Presence. What about this one:
God’s healing light before you.
God’s healing light behind you.
God’s healing light within you.
Encircling light of the triune of grace.”
“That’s it. That’s what I’ve been feeling. God’s light is all around me,” he said. “I will ask others to pray like this.”
“Ask them to envision you surrounded by healing light as they say the words. I will be praying them too.”
Prayer is soul’s language of hope. It is a way to share compassion and the mysterious energy of Holy Light and Love. Even in our darkest hour, prayer is a vessel of hope. Like the heavens, it reminds us that we are not alone.
As you journey through this first week of Advent, may you be blessed by hope and may your presence be a blessing for others.
Deep peace to you,
Susan
