Find the full text of the homily here.
Questions for Personal Reflection
- In what areas of my life do I currently feel like I am in a state of darkness or uncertainty? How can I embrace this time as an opportunity for growth and transformation?
- Reflecting on my past experiences, can I identify moments when I felt lost or directionless, but later recognized them as times of formation? What insights did I gain from those experiences?
- How can I be more attentive to the ways God might be shaping me in this current season? Are there specific actions I can take to nurture my spiritual well-being during this time?
Resources for Further Reflection
Children’s Book: God’s Holy Darkness by Sharei Green, Beckah Selnick, and Nikki Faison
In this beautifully illustrated book, the authors explore some of the moments in Scripture which present darkness as something holy.
Children’s Book: Silent Night by Lara Hawthorne
In this rendition of the famous Christmas hymn, the illustrations are strikingly dark in color and wonderfully moving.
Poetry: Advent Poems by Tania Runyan
In this collection of poems for Advent, Tania Runyan imagines Jesus speaking to his mother from the womb, each poem from another stage of the journey of pregnancy. Much of the imagery of this homily was inspired by Runyan’s poems, which I encountered throughout this season of Advent.
Thoughts on Faith 