A Journey Through Advent: Day 4
Day 4
December 2, 2020
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The Thing With Feathers
Pastor Kelsey Lewis Vincent
“Hope” is the thing with feathers - (314)
BY EMILY DICKINSON
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -
And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -
I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.
When asked to write about hope for Advent, this little poem came to mind. Hope is a word from God this year - 2020 - more than most others because hope outlasts them all. When motivation is lacking, when depression settles in like a heavy blanket, when peace is nowhere to be found and all else seems a dull gray, hope is the little firey bird that flutters in and reminds us that it’s not over yet. Hope is the first to show up in the wake of the storm and the last to leave before our eyes close each night. Hope keeps us breathing. Emily Dickinson gets to the heart of hope in the last stanza: “Yet - never - in Extremity, It asked a crumb - of me.”
The thing about hope is that it costs us nothing. Love and peace are both potentially costly in various ways. They take from us even as they give to us. They are reciprocal interactions in some way. But hope costs nothing. Hope is a gift from God that asks nothing in return. Hope is the star in the sky that beckoned the magi toward a new dawn. Hope is the unexpected prophecy given to a weary older couple. Hope is the news of a vaccine coming soon. Hope is the reminder that better days lie ahead. Hope is the promise that God is doing a new thing.
Today may you take a moment to seek silence. Turn off the television and your phone. And stop for a moment to listen to that bird’s sweet song.
About a Journey Through Advent
This year is unprecedented in its challenges to our global, national, and local communities, let alone the challenges to our own church community and personal spiritual growth. And yet, the rhythm of the church calendar continues to hold us in a life-giving refrain: hope is alive!
This series of devotional readings, scripture readings, and prayers is designed to give you an opportunity to pause and reflect on the hope, peace, joy, and love that the Advent season brings.
We challenge you to set aside time each day to read, reflect, and pray through these offerings presented by our pastoral staff.
May you find encouragement in the remarkable hope this season provides us!