Tuesday: Twinkling Lights of Hope
“Hope is the ember glowing in the fireplace of our souls, warming us in the chilly stillness of Advent, promising that, soon, the flames of fulfillment will dance in our hearts.”
— Jeremi Richardson.
As we continue navigating the sacred terrain of waiting — today, we gaze on the twinkling lights of hope illuminating our path. Advent is not merely a tradition; it is a profound invitation to embrace the luminosity of hope amid our waiting. Just as the Israelites waited for 430 years for their liberation, we, too, find ourselves in a season of waiting during Advent.
Reflecting on the enduring saga of the Israelites, who displayed unwavering endurance throughout a staggering 430 years of anticipation, we witness the grand culmination of their journey — a joyous celebration etched in history as Passover. This narrative of waiting, steeped in significance, forms the foundation of our understanding. In the intricate tapestry of our own lives, we aspire to discern those poignant instances of waiting where the promise of liberation calls out. Placing our trust in the divine author, we acknowledge that our story is being penned in a manner that allows us to revisit its pages, tracing the thread of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and intimate presence woven into the fabric of our darkest moments.
“The Israelites had lived in Egypt for 430 years. At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, God’s entire army (i.e., the entire Israelite community) left Egypt. God kept watch all night, watching over the Israelites as he brought them out of Egypt. Because God kept watch, all Israel for all generations will honor God by keeping watch this night — a watch night.” — Exodus 12:40–41 (The Message Translation)
As we read the scripture above, we find echoes of our waiting journeys, each marked by moments of hope resembling twinkling lights. Each light represents a moment of hope, a reminder that even in the shadows, there is a promise of illumination. I like to call these twinkling lights, God winks. Consider the metaphor of a winter night. As the world becomes cloaked in darkness, the twinkle of stars emerges, casting a gentle glow across the vast expanse.
Similarly, hope appears as a constellation of lights in the darkness of waiting, guiding us through the quiet spaces of expectation. Reflect on the twinkling lights in your own life. What moments have shimmered with the promise of hope? The most profound yet simple flicker of light has gradually lit what darkness. Perhaps it was the unexpected kindness of a friend, a moment of clarity during the confusion, or the assurance that even in waiting, there is a purpose unfolding.
This Advent, remember that hope is not a distant concept but a tangible reality — the gentle glow of assurance that the dawn will break and the promises will be fulfilled, and as we journey together through this season, let the twinkling lights of hope be our guide, leading us into a prayer of gratitude for the lessons found only in waiting.
Please pray with me:
Loving and Gracious God, as we gather in the sacred space of reflection during this Advent journey, we lift our hearts in gratitude for the lessons of waiting. Today, we focus on waiting as a journey toward liberation — a celebration of freedom echoing through time. We place our trust in your timing, knowing that, in the sacred art of waiting, the crescendo of freedom awaits. Strengthen our resolve, instill in us the patience of the Israelites, and open our hearts to the celebration that awaits on the horizon of our waiting. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
