O Dark December

I'm not sure I can recall a December that has felt so dark and heavy.  It seems at every turn, I see heartache, difficulty, loss, and struggle for so many people who are dear to me.  And even beyond my own circle, I've heard story after story of many who are just done with 2019.  

I had a conversation with God about this the other day. An out-loud conversation in my car.  You know the kind.  Where you explode a little and wish God was sitting there in human form in the passenger seat so you could look Him in the eye and give Him a piece of your mind. Except He isn't sitting there so you have the conversation anyway and pray no one in the car next to you sees what's happening. But even if they do you just don't care. Because this confrontation with the Big Guy just can't wait.  

This conversation came on the heels of one of my kids sharing some of the tough stuff he was currently facing.  In one of my more honest mom moments I said, "Well, you kinda need to just get in line, because I'm not sure I have the capacity to deal with one more thing right now."  Thankfully, my true confession was met with understanding and even brought a little laughter to the moment as well.  

My little chat with God included me yelling, "And it's Christmas! Why the heck do things have to be this way at Christmas!" And then I said the words, "You're just gonna have to DO SOMETHING."  I get a little bossy with God sometimes.  

Not 30 seconds later, more out of frustration than actually looking for God to respond to my whiny rant, I turned on a podcast.  What happened next was cool, funny, humbling, and shouldn't be surprising, but it was.  For the next 40 minutes or so, I listened to some pastor from some church talk about why the Advent season should feel so dark.  Then, right there in my car, God did something.  Not only did He do something in that moment, but He reminded me that He DID SOMETHING long ago.  After years of waiting, darkness, sadness, and hardship, He did something.  He wrapped Himself in flesh and came to earth. He did it to fulfill His promise.  He did it to bring an end to the darkness.  And while I still feel the weight of that darkness from time to time, I now live with the promise of light. 

That promise makes all the difference for me this December and I hope it does for you too.  If you're walking through a difficult Advent season, remember, a weary world will rejoice.  Sin and error pining will turn to joy. The night is holy because morning is coming.  

O DARK DECEMBER
by Gina Boe

O Dark December, how heavy the weight
Of bitter winds and fleeting days
We brace our souls for such dismay
O Dark December, how heavy the weight

O Dark December, how long is the night
The silent wait for promised light
We cling to hope of worlds aright
O Dark December, how long is the night

And yet within a heart distressed
Remains a sacred confidence 
In strong, unwavered faithfulness
Which steadies us to peace and rest

O Dark December, how blessed and kind
Your brutal mercy still reminds
We weep assured of joy we’ll find
O Dark December, how blessed and kind 

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