Darkness

How appropros today's forecast is: cloudy, cold, with a 100% of rain this afternoon. This weather is just what's needed on the shortest day of the year; not only will we enjoy more darkness than on any other day of the year, the elements will join in the effort to dampen our spirits. Woo hoo.

Of course, there is an upside to all this: Tomorrow there will be more daylight than there is today. The skies will be clear. Things will be better. My weather app tells me so and I believe it, even though almost three decades of New England living tell me to take any prediction involving weather with a grain of salt. Still, I'm optimistic, I have faith.

And what is faith? In Hebrews 11 we are told that "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Faith is what animates our longing, our yearning, our anticipation for Emmanuel, the Christ-child, who was promised to us long ago. Each of us desires to experience love incarnate, to meet the Word made flesh. In just a few days, we'll join together with song and story to commemorate the fulfillment of this gift from our Creator. And we'll do so with faith and optimism, without regard for the weather.

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