by 
Isaiah 9:2 (the Message)
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows– light! sunbursts of light!
Advent is a season recognized throughout church traditions to anticipate and await the arrival of Jesus. The Word that had been hoped for from the earliest stories in scripture finally makes himself known as the Word became flesh.
Beginning this journey through advent, we invite you to consider what it means to live into the hope of the coming Christ. The prophet Isaiah offers an image of hope – people who have been living in shadows who see a great burst of light. What a great promise to remember as we live and work in broken communities, which are being restored through the transformative work of Christ!
One of the issues of injustice we are seeking to enter into with hope is mass incarceration. Last year our association joined together to share in 12 Locked In Solidarity prayer events across the country, lifting up our stories and prayers around incarceration that have torn our communities apart, and practicing a hopeful posture, knowing that God hears our prayers. This year’s Locked In Solidarity prayer events are scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 12th. Our hope is that many CCDA leaders across the country will want to participate and lead prayer events. If you are interested in hosting an event, please contact Michelle Warren-michelle@ccda.org.
We may be quick to adopt an attitude of hopelessness and discouragement in today’s world. We are inundated by news of tragedy and stories of trauma. But the season of advent calls us to remember our hope. It is a season of light, drawing us to recall the story of God entering into our midst.
Just as the birth of Christ broke into the world of darkness, we too find ourselves breaking into the darkest of places, sharing the light of Christ. As Christians who embody this light, we want to engage issues of injustice with hope.
Join us in this hope-full engaging of injustice. Become involved by giving to support the work of CCDA. You can help us continue to shine hope in this shadowed world as we inspire, train and connect those ministering on the margins. Please consider making a donation today.
As we move into these next four weeks, may we be brought back to the roots of this advent season, recalling the hope set out before us, and being mindful of our inward preparation for the expectant arrival of the Son of God.
Unslumbering God,
at an unexpected hour
you sent an unlikely liberator
to an undeserving world.
Keep us faithful in unguarded moments
and alert in uncertain times,
so that we may seek your unmeasured mercy,
serve you with undivided hearts,
live together in unbroken community,
and greet you with unending praise;
for the sake of Jesus Christ, our undying Life,
in whom we know your unfailing justice,
unfathomable grace,
and unlimited love.
Amen.
