Rev. Derrick Elliott
Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott, Pastor, Sun Lakes United Church of Christ
As the Advent season begins, many communities across the nation and the world are lighting candles of hope, peace, joy, and love. We need this reminder even as headlines fill with uncertainty. We’ve watched as stories about government shutdowns, economic strain, and growing divisions have taken their toll on everyday life. Whether those struggles are ongoing or have passed by the time you read this, the effects remain: People are weary, trust feels fragile, and many are wondering what the future holds.
And yet, Advent arrives again, whispering a truth that refuses to fade, the light is coming. The word “Advent” means “arrival.” The season of Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ. A time for both as a remembrance of his birth and as a renewal of hope for the future. In a culture that prizes instant answers, Advent teaches us to slow down and listen. The waiting becomes holy when we remember that God’s promises do not depend on the pace of our world or the performance of our institutions.
The first candle of Advent we light is the candle of hope. Hope can feel harder to hold these days. But Christian hope doesn’t rest on ideal circumstances. Hope is rooted in the belief that God is still at work. God is at work even when the systems around us falter. That kind of hope has carried generations through wars, depressions, and pandemics. It can take us now.
The next candle we light is the candle of peace. Peace should remind us that peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of grace. In our moments of fear or frustration, peace begins in small acts: a calm word, a willingness to listen, or a simple refusal to add more noise to the chaos.
The last two candles in the Advent season are joy and love. The joy we seek is found not in perfection but in perseverance. The joy is around the kitchen tables, in shared laughter, and in communities that keep showing up for one another. Love is the final candle before we light the Christ candles. The love candle calls us to care for our neighbors, reach out to the lonely, and stand beside those who are struggling.
Advent should remind us that even when the world trembles with uncertainty, God’s presence is steady. The candles we light each week are not decoration but declaration: that light still shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.