A couple of years before my father died, he was still able to leave the memory unit and join us for Thanksgiving and Christmas and birthdays. He wouldn't always know where he was, or who we were, but he had a great time snuggling with my Great Dane, listening to us talk, and eating the food. But as the afternoon wore on, he would get anxious. When are we going home?, he'd ask. We should get home, he'd say to my mom. I need to get to the office, he'd announce, going to the door.
It was classic "sundowning", when folks with memory issues start getting agitated or confused as the day wears on. We knew to get my dad home before dusk.
I have been thinking of my dad lately, as the sun goes behind the trees at 3:30 in the afternoon and I find myself getting antsy. On Monday, after sitting in front of my laptop for hours planning December worship services, I got up and wandered around the house. The shadows were long across the yard. It was getting dark. I flipped on the front lights of the house. I wondered why my daughter wasn't home. I rattled around the house and began to think about dinner. But it was only 3:30 in the afternoon.
This time of year can feel odd and unsettling. It's dark when we arise. It's dark when we leave work. It's dark when we eat dinner. It feels dark most of the time. And perhaps, like me, this causes you to feel restless or antsy or anxious. Or maybe it's our worries or grief or distress that is causing us to rattle around the house.
But let us remember, Good People, that in our Advent waiting, we affirm the coming light. Not only the celebration of Jesus' birth, but the literal shift to longer days and brighter sun. There are many reasons to be anxious right now, but I pray that we can hold onto the bright promises of God.
Advent Resources
Our Advent theme What do you Fear? Insisting on Hope is woven through sermons, prayers, personal devotions, and small groups. Engage the season at home with these resources:
Advent Film: Enjoy this short film that introduces the season's theme of facing our fears and cultivating hope.
Advent Calendar: Post this on your fridge or keep it by your bed for a daily moment of prayer. Printed copies are outside the sanctuary.
Advent Devotional: Move through the Advent weeks with scripture, art, poetry and reflection prompts. The e-reader version is HERE. (Please do not share or post this link.) Printed copies are outside the sanctuary.
Children's Bulletins: Pick up a kids' bulletin on your way into worship! Or print and use at home! Here is the Second Sunday of Advent and the Third Sunday of Advent.
