I do not like rooms without light. It often feels like a vacuum, robbed of any life, as we become more in tune with any little noise that comes our way.

Recently, I was here for an evening meeting. Prior to business, I walked into the sanctuary. There weren’t any lights on in the Activity Center, the Narthex, or the Sanctuary. Before I had a chance to turn the Sanctuary lights on, I took a moment to breathe in the space. And I did something I rarely do: I appreciated the absence of light. Even though our Sanctuary is flooded with light on Sunday mornings, the evening presents a different ambiance, especially in these winter months when nightfall happens extremely early. The beauty of darkness and the stillness of the space calls me to pause and appreciate the ways minimal streams of light enter the nighttime spaces we inhabit.

This experience at church reminded me of the practices I may need to include in my life this Advent. As I immerse myself in darkness, my hope is to find clarity and discern how God is calling me.

I don’t know about you, but I know my mind races during this season. I think about all that is going on at church, at home, with my family, and more. My mind fails to settle down. Ultimately, I feel like I have 100 internet search engine tabs open in my brain as my thoughts bounce from one subject to the next. By changing routes and embracing the beauty of this season’s long nighttime may be where I find inspiration and the stillness for which I long and need.
 

If quiet centering doesn’t comes easy to you, sometimes blocking out 15 minutes for that spiritual practice is required. I know being intentional and scheduling spiritual practices will be healthy for my spirit. The world will not end as I walk away from the buzz and brightness of life for 15 minutes. In fact, in 15 minutes of a silent night may help me see God a little more clearly.
 

Friends, many blessings during the seasons of Advent and Christmas!

Blessings,
Pastor Michelle