
I’ll never forget it. I sat in a canoe with a friend at twilight on a lake in the upper reaches of Quetico, the Canadian wilderness. Night was falling. No wind. No loon or owl calls. A deafening silence enveloped us. My friend suggested we open our mouths to listen to the coming night. We were mesmerized.
I want to say a good word about darkness. Darkness can hide unwise motives and unhealthy acts. I won’t deny that. But there is another side of this Advent darkness that speaks of promises to come into your life and mine. Darkness can offer a time to observe what was done in our lives for one day.
Darkness can help us imagine what can be seen in the coming day. This time can become a new faith rhythm to our lives. Darkness is as natural as light. Darkness can offer a new walk into what a new day may be. Darkness brings a benediction and a promise to come.
Lighting a second candle in our home can be a time not only to hold back the night but a time to welcome the night, to rest from our labors, to sleep and rise to a new time. Let God work within. “God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night.” Genesis 1:5
-Dan Schmiechen
Weekly Scriptures

Advent begins the Church Year. There are four Sundays preparing for the coming of Jesus - people longing for his coming,and our preparation to receive new life. Advent means "coming" or "arrival". The color is purple (or blue).
Advent Weekly Ritual: Light Three Candles at say a prayer.
Day | Date | Scripture |
Sunday | December 13 |
John 5:30-47 |
Monday | December 14 |
Matthew 24:15-31 |
Tuesday | December 15 |
Matthew 24:32-44 |
Wednesday | December 16 |
Matthew 24:45-51 |
Thursday | December 17 |
Matthew 25:1-13 |
Friday | December 18 |
Matthew 25:14-30 |
Saturday | December 19 |
Matthew 25:31-46 |
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