Hello & Welcome —
Advent season is upon us and I must admit I am looking forward to spending time in God’s Word allowing my anticipation of the journey to overwhelm me. In past seasons, I have been much more prepared as to what I would be reading and blogging about, not so much this year. I do have a book, “ Night Vision” written by Jan Richardson. I am reading it. My goal is not so much to regurgitate it back to you but to share myself with you as authentically as possible. So I hope you continue to follow me as I navigate my way through my unknown, my darkness because I know there is something on the horizon.
Advent is a season of preparation and anticipation of the birth of Jesus, as foretold in Scripture.
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14
This Scripture points to the manner in which Jesus will be born, and also to one of the names given to him; Immanuel, meaning God with us. This was pointing to both his human birth and his divine nature. This scripture was written over 700 years before Christ was born.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Micah 5:2
We know Jesus was born in Bethlehem and this Scripture tells us in advance the place Jesus would be born. This prophecy was written by Micah approximately 800 years before Christ was born.
It was the title of Jan Richardson’s book “Night Visions” that originally caught my attention. Back in January 2022, I decided that this year was going to be about “me” taking more time to focus on my interest and doing things I wanted to do as well as things that were out of my comfort zone. I have no regrets, God blessed me with some wonderful adventures that helped me to grow in directions I was not even fully aware of.
In January, I was able to travel to New Orleans, LA on a girls trip celebrating my friends 60th birthday.
In February, I traveled alone to Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. Celebrated my baptism anniversary on February 28th (1982).
In March, I celebrated seventeen years of employment at a job I love.
In April thru June, I began searching for a new place to live and packing to move. Found a place, friends helped me move and yes, I’m still unpacking.
July was my birthday month of celebration and August was quiet and calm spending time with friends and family.
In September, I went to St. Louis, MO where I met several new friends. I had joined a team of women promoting breast cancer awareness and celebrating cancer survivors. BEST DECISION! Our team name is Team Boo Bees and we are part of a bigger group of amazing women’s organization called “ Pledge The Pink!” My life is forever changed since meeting them in September.
In October, I traveled to Fripp Island, S.C. along with 1499 other members of Pledge The Pink to walk 10 miles a day for 3 days, all to celebrating survivors, recognize and grieve those who were no longer with us. No one walks alone in this organization.
Here we are at November, it has been a tough month to navigate as inflation is still on the rise, holidays are in full tilt season. I love Thanksgiving and Christmas, my heart is filled with memories of past holiday experiences. I still get that edgy feeling of excitement in my stomach around all the festivities of Christmas.
In many ways, it is looking back where I see the light. The unknown of the present and future can feel dark or at the very least difficult to navigate with squinting eyes. I want to see the light at the end of the tunnel and to get there I must move forward through what seems like utter darkness. This is advent to me, I know where the tunnel ends and that there will be light, Jesus is waiting there with open arms for me. He is there for everyone who accepts the journey.
My darkness may be entirely different from yours, no one persons darkness outweighs another. We all have different paths to travel and we all have something on the horizon, Jesus Christ.
Advent, as with salvation you simply come as you are, Jesus is waiting. There are no prerequisites for this advent journey, you just begin…
My prayer for you and me, Lord open our eyes and hearts to the darkness that scares us and frightens us. Help us to use all of our senses to discover the gifts of this advent season that only you can provide. Open our hearts to the mysteries of your divine presence in our lives. Amen.
This first week of advent is traditionally focused on Hope and Faith. “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for,” we contemplate both hope and faith as we spiritually prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas … Think of it as a hope-faith continuum.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1
Below are the lyrics to a song referenced in Jan Richardson’s book, Night Visions.
Night Vision/Lyrics
By day give thanks
By night beware
Half the world in sweetness
The other in fear
When the darkness takes you
With her hand across your face
Don't give in too quickly
Find the thing she's erased
Find the line, find the shape
Through the grain
Find the outline, things will
Tell you their name
The table. the guitar
The empty glass
All will blend together when
Daylight has passed
Find the line, find the shape
Through the grain
Find the outline, things will
Tell you their name
Now I watch you falling into sleep
Watch your fist curl against the sheet
Watch your lips fall open and your eyes dim
In blind faith
I would shelter you
Keep you in light
But I can only teach you
Night vision
Night vision
Night vision
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Anton Sanko/Suzanne Vega
Night Vision lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
References:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb.11.1&version=NRSVCE
HOPE SEEKER 
Thank you!
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