Dear Friends of The Well,
“The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon
the likes of which we have never seen before.
It is not possible to keep it from coming, because it will.
That’s just how Advent works.
What is possible is to not see it, to miss it,
to turn just as it brushes past you.”
—Jan Richardson
by Bridget Sperduto
download-4-56-35-pmAs Advent begins this year I am aware of increased tension, anger, grief, division, violence, and bullying that seems to be ever present in our society at this time. I imagine that it is not that different from the tumultuous time into which Jesus was born. In the midst of the turmoil and strife of first century Palestine a new consciousness broke through with a message of peace and goodwill for ALL!
It began with Mary’s contemplative “yes” and Joseph’s deep listening to God dreaming through him. Through their commitment, something new was born. The shepherds—among the lowest of the societal ladder—received the message first. Why? We know the shepherds lived in the fields and took turns keeping watch in the darkness.
They kept watch in the darkness. Was it a darkness of despair or was it a holy darkness: a “wombtime” of something new coming to be?
I wonder what field they lived in? Was it a field of disgruntlement for their lot in life? A field of helplessness or anger at the system? Or could it have been a field of longing? Or a field of hope?
Also, more than one shepherd sat in the darkness tending the flock. They took turns. There was community support for their vigil. And their vigilance was rewarded. They beheld the angels’ light and the angels’ message of peace and goodwill for all people! So overjoyed by this experience, the shepherds became the ambassadors of the good news.
Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds–they each held the posture of Advent as Jan Richardson suggests we also do:
“So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for running. For rushing. For worrying. For pushing. For now, stay. Wait. Something is on the horizon.”
We invite you to sit, linger, ponder, wait, behold and wonder with us at The Well this advent. Perhaps together Christ can be born anew among us and we can be bearers of that light to our ailing world.
“New being is on the horizon of the already existing now.
Christ is the present reality and yet, the not yet—up ahead.”
—Ilia Delio