Advent Reflection Week Four

Walk in the Light of the Lord

Written by Sr. Clare Millea, ASCJ

Maybe because our little community in Ireland spends a lot of time together, there isn’t always a lot of news to catch up on when we gather. So we often join those countless people the world over who end up talking about the weather. The frequent December comment, “I can’t wait until the days begin to get longer on the 21st,” seems to have a greater significance for me in Waterford. 

On December 21, the sun rises over our fair city at 8:36 a.m. only to set again at 4:15 p.m. for a grand total of 7 hours and 41 minutes of daylight. That’s quite a bit less than what others in the Northern Hemisphere experience! Our walk home from 7:30 a.m. Mass is often lit by a cell phone flashlight, reminding me of the shepherds stumbling down the hills to Bethlehem to meet the new born Savior.

This Advent, I’ve been struck by the frequency with which the theme of darkness and light is woven into the readings at daily Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours. Each December morning, the sun rises in the east to warm the frigid earth, even when dark clouds cover the sky. So too the Son of God appears from the ancient east to warm hearts that have become cold and indifferent to Him. 

The expectancy and joy for the coming of Jesus grow with each day of this beautiful season, awaiting Christmas when “the Dawn from on high will break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness…and the people who dwelt in darkness will see a great Light.” Let us savor the closeness of our Savior in these final days of Advent, eager to “walk in the light of the Lord” with gratitude and fervent love. A blessed Christmas to all!