“Take off the works of Darkness and put on the Armor of light”

This line, from the Collect for the first Sunday of Advent, and the book of Romans, has been read in the Church since the 1500s and circumscribes our journey between now and Christmas.

A mistake we make, of course, is thinking that light and dark are just opposites here and as long as we keep to the light we will be just fine thank you.

Except God works in the darkness of clouds in Exodus, in the void of the whirlwind in Kings, in the Belly of the whale in Jonah. Jesus does some his best work at night! In the garden, in the boat, in the late of the day when he feeds the 5,000.

Darkness and light are realities of creation. The two first things God creates. There is nothing intrinsically evil about dark spaces or dark places. Our over reliance on light has led to, among other things, a false sense of purity, a denigration of the poor and the needy, and a judgment that might (and light and white) make right.

There are times when we may be called to work in darkness. And God is with us in that. But this season of advent is a journey towards the light. Towards that first star of the morning, to the light of Bethlehem, and to the new light kindled in the birth of our savior Jesus.

Let’s not forget however that that light leads to a back alley stable filled with animals surrounded by muscular, scary shepherds and strange looking foreigners. Not perfectly decorated Christmas Trees with tons of presents and a roaring fire. The light of Christ leads us to love and to discomfort. To joy and to wonder and some confusion too.

I hope it leads you back to Church. For this season of advent and for the Christmas Season as well.