Advent Season-Looking for A Great Light

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; 

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 

Isaiah 9:2*

It's time to prepare for Advent. I've gathered a few resources to share with you, which I hope and pray (really, I pray) will prepare you to rejoice at Christmas that a great Light has come into our world. 

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Nine Tailors by Dorothy Sayers

The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“So I think I'd better go, said Wimsey. "I rather wish I hadn't come buttin' into this. Some things may be better left alone, don't you think? My sympathies are all in the wrong place and I don't like it. I know all about not doing evil tha good may come. I'ts doin' good that evil may come that is so embarrassin'."
"My dear boy," said the Rector, "it does not do for us to take too much thought for the morrow. It is better to follow the truth and leave the results in the hand of God. He can forsee where we cannot, because He knows all the facts.”

It was with this quote that I understood why Sayers designed such an "easy" mystery and places this book on my re-read list. I knew fairly early on the identity of the corpse, but continued reading to see why she would craft the story so and to see where she was taking me.  She took me to a community that cares for its own, and to the church that stands high on a hill, whose ringing bells bring joy, comfort, and alarm in times of need. This church provided shelter during a flood and ensuing tragedy which occurs when warnings are ignored. I hear clearly echoes of the Old Testament story of Noah. In all of this, by crafting several sub-plots, she asks me to consider that the ways of our Lord are indeed the mystery bringing both sorrow and joy, sometimes with a paradoxical comfort that comes from leaving "the results in the hand of God."  Masterly and subtly crafted, it is well worth re-reading.


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Advent Devotional

Advent Devotional

Great Advent Devotional edited by a Covenant Seminary grad and former member of Chesterfield Presbyterian Church, Burress McCombe

Advent Music

I've linked to or  created a few Advent playlists on Spotify that I wanted to share with you.

 Bach: Advent Cantatas

 Advent Carols from St. John's

An Advent Procession Based on the Great “O” Antiphons

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.      

Book of Common Prayer,  Collect for the First Sunday in Advent.

A  warm thanks to A Circle of Quiet for the prayer