[Today’s archived guest post is one of two on the blog this week prompted by a Twitter exchange between Lisa Deam and Gwen Jorgensen about how life is hard, and at this time of year it can feel even harder. (Click here for Gwen’s post.) Lisa has lived through some truly trying Advent seasons; yet – as she shows in this post – she still hopes, and her hope encourages me. I hope it does you as well.]
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Every year, my world falls apart during Advent. I’m not referring to a busy schedule or the general craziness of the holiday season. I mean that my world really falls apart. My family has had a lot of financial ups and downs, and the downs always seem to come in December. Last year at this time, my husband was between contracts. No job. No money. And no prospects on the horizon, since companies were waiting until the turn of the year to begin hiring.
This year is little better. Already struggling, we recently found out about a hefty spike in our insurance rates. I’m now looking into getting a “real” job, and I fear that my dream of writing will come to an end. As will other cherished activities, such as picking my children up from school each afternoon and volunteering in their classrooms.
I was driving down the highway last week, thinking about our financial distress and my shattered dreams, when another car cut me off. That was it. I lost it. That car became a symbol of my future coming to run me off the road. It awakened the deep-seated fear of failure I’ve been harboring for a long time.
I know in part why December days are often so dark. It’s the end of the fiscal year. For people experiencing financial insecurity (and many other people besides), it can be a hard time.
But I think there’s a bigger reason. I have a feeling it’s to remind me why Jesus came. My Twitter friend Gwen Jorgensen put it this way:
Jesus came because times are dark; he came into a world full of financial struggles and relationship problems and fear and hurt and pride. He doesn’t wave a wand and make these problems magically disappear. But he gives us hope where there was none before. He shines his light into our dark world. (John 1:4)
I wish I didn’t need such a big reminder about why Jesus came, but I’m pretty forgetful. Over and over, I’m seduced into believing I can shine my own light. Dark days teach me that I can’t even emit the faint gleam of a candle. I need the wattage of a savior!
My yearly practice of falling apart has led me to rethink a season often associated with good feelings. Maybe a “good” Advent doesn’t mean tingly anticipation or holiday cheer. Maybe it means being plunged into darkness. Maybe it means acknowledging that times are bad; that I can’t do it all; that I am, in fact, desperate. My crises have prevented me from getting ready for Christmas. But I bet I’ll be ready for Jesus.
Good Advents are not necessarily pleasant ones. I’d rather be filled with a warm glow as I walk the road to Bethlehem. Instead, I’m walking this road in the dark.
Night sky.
No stars.
Pitch black.
The conditions are perfect for a great light to shine.
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Lisa Deam writes and speaks about Christian spiritual formation from a historical perspective. She’s the author of A World Transformed: Exploring the Spirituality of Medieval Maps. Visit her on Twitter @LisaKDeam and at lisadeam.com. Below is one of my favorite quotes from Lisa:
This is wonderful! She wrote wonderfully and captured it so well: “I need the wattage of a savior!”
Perhaps we put SO much pressure on ourselves to cook or bake the perfect meal, nicely wrap those presents, tie those immaculate bows and gosh darn it—make sure to take that flawless Christmas pic—that we forget that we are real people with real problems that don’t just take a backseat during the holidays. This woman is truly suffering. She doesn’t need a peppy Christmas song. She needs the arms and the love of perfect Savior, assuring her that He is with her.
“the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:16). The Word clearly acknowledges it was a pretty dismal world He was brought into. Darkness, shadows and a lot of people suffering. She said it so well: “The conditions are perfect for a great light to shine.” Blessings to you sister. Lifting you and your family up in prayers. I don’t want to neglect the obvious needs you have, despite the very optimistic tone and verses you shared.
I too thought I was going to be a writer and those dreams went out the window when I met Him. I don’t know what His plan is for you, of course, but just to encourage you He has plans for you. And it’s disappointing when a lot of curve balls are thrown at you.
“Hell has no torment worse than Constant Forced Cheerfulness.”
— G.K.Chesterton, “Three Tools of Death” (Father Brown Mystery)
And todays XMAS is nothing but Constant Forced Cheerfulness Or Else.
Thank you for your response, Anu. Blessings to you this Advent. I’m feeling hopeful!
Thank you for your response, Anu. Blessings to you this Advent and Christmas. I’m feeling hopeful this year!
I’m glad to reread this post, Lisa. It is truthful and hopeful. Thanks.
Thank you Jeannie. I’m feeling hopeful this year!
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