A Message from Bishop Gray

"O Come, O Come Emmanuel"

In the increasingly dark days of Advent most of our churches participate in a ritual that dates from our ancient Christian forbearers – we light a candle. Specifically, we light one candle each week in a wreath during the four weeks of Advent. That ancient custom, of course, has pre-Christian origins as human beings throughout history have feared the passing of the light and the darkness that appears to overwhelm us during this time of year in the northern hemisphere. Communal fires and a variety of ancient rituals have been used in many cultures to stave off the impending darkness.

Within the church we light candles in our Advent wreaths in increasing numbers as we move toward that moment when we sing “glory to God in the highest” and celebrate the birth of the One whom the evangelist John described as the true light that “shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it”. We light the candles in this simple ritual of preparation in defiance of the darkness that whispers to us that hope is an illusion. We light a candle…and we wait.

We wait and watch and yearn from the deepest recesses of our souls for the birth of the Holy One and that hope that will give joy and meaning to our lives.

Such a birth can never be rushed. It will come on its own peculiar schedule “in the fullness of time”. But we can prepare our hearts and minds and souls for this birth. The intentional watching and waiting in prayer and moments of stillness during this most frantic season can prepare the stable of our lives for the birth of Emmanuel, God’s most gracious gift.

May the candles we light this Advent season be our testament to the coming of our Lord who gives us peace, and so much more, that our world can never provide.

Faithfully,