Advent One

 

If you see the title of this post and believe it implies a series of four, you would be mistaken. Here's why: The Advent candles of Christendom have names. In order, they are Hope, Joy, Love and Peace. This year, Hope has sustained me the entire season. Let me tell you about that.

In a year filled with losses, illnesses, sadnesses and complications, Hope seemed remote and hard to find. Adding to my gloom in November was learning that one of our children and his family would not be with us on Thanksgiving. I was so disappointed that I broke my usual rule of Do Not Say Anything, and came to regret imposing my woes on our son (who, by the way, was understanding and forgiving).

And so, two of our three children and their spouses, four of our six grandchildren, were with us for Thanksgiving. All of the six have reached civilized ages (thank God!) and are great to be around. Those present on Thursday are 18, 16, 14, and 12. 18 is a college freshman, excited about venturing into the world and smitten with Pittsburgh, 16 has begun to look at colleges and is filled with anticipation (and prolly a bit of anxiety) about the future, 14 came out of the closet a year and a half ago and — innocent soul that he is — is reveling in the support he’s received from the family, and 12 is taking Home Ec in school and had the homework assignment of setting the table for Thanksgiving; she did such a superb job that we also put her in charge of taking and fulfilling the beverage requests. It turned out to be a lovely day!

That was Thursday. Sunday, of course, was Advent One, and our pastor preached on Hope. It was a fine sermon and got me reflecting -- again -- about our Thanksgiving experience.

I can’t stop thinking about that day and those amazing grandchildren, and when I do now it is all about Hope. My hope, of course, is FOR them, and at the same time, THEY are what bring me hope. To quote the woman we'll honor on Advent Four, “How can this be?”