advent meditation - december 2nd

Finding our way

      On the night of the New Moon we find ourselves face-to-face with our darkest moments. Time and again, because everything feels so very dark, we fear we may be losing our way.  My hand is there, I know it.  My hand is there right in front of my face, but I just can’t seem to find it.     
     It is here, on the far side of the moon that our core work happens.  It is here in this darkest place that you and I can begin to see as if for the first time.
           Relying on the Moon: Companioning Grief for 29 Days (adapted) by Lesley Brogan

              New Moon nights come every 29 days in the lunar cycle. They are ever-present, faithful reminders of feeling lost in the darkness. If you’ve ever been outside on a night of the New Moon you know that feeling of trying again and again to open your eyes wider, thinking that will help you see. And sooner or later we all realize that the darkness is with us and we have a few choices: we can learn to make our way in the dark or we find a way to bring light to the darkness.  Sometimes we do both.

            It is in our darkest times that our core work happens. It is here when we are often better aware of what is going on around us. It is here when we can almost hear the beating of our hearts. If we don’t allow fear to overcome us, but instead begin to trust beyond our seeing, it is here in the darkness that we discover the core places of our faith.

            And in these Advent days we are aware of the gift of light coming. In the New Moon’s pitch darkness, we long for light. Stumbling blindly brings us often to our knees. Starting these Advent days and nights during the New Moon helps us prepare well. In these dark nights, we are well aware of this light, this life that we are seeking. As children of faith on this dark night, we are reminded again of the hope that can come from lighting one candle. We are reminded that the light of one small candle can bring us home.

Breath prayer: “even in the darkness” “light is coming”

Prayer:  Holy Light, guide us this day we pray. Grant us faith to continue even in the darkest moments. Teach us again to watch and pray. Teach us again to trust that light will come and you will guide us on. Humbly we pray, Amen.

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