Art by Wendy Keller "For Unto Us A Child is Born"

Winter Solstice Night—PODCAST 2:

One of four cardinal points where the earths elliptical celestial paths align. Thinking of you. Holidays, while wonderful, may not always elicit triumphant and joyful tidings. Loss and grief seem to weigh in more heavily during the season. I know we've felt it with the loss of our nephew from suicide a year ago, the recent death of my uncle and aunt just 9 days apart, dear friends who experience the loss of a spouse, or child, others I love going through divorce, miscarriages, children away from home or estranged. I see you. More importantly you are seen and known in heaven.

I'm reminded Jesus came into a very imperfect world as well. He didn't wait for the "opportune moment" but rather came in the fullness or meridian of time, into difficult circumstances, money scarcity, roman occupation, unwed mother, chased by Herod and the list continues.

In the Book of Mormon, we read of an outsider prophet, Samuel, who visits the people on the Americas prophesying of the Saviors birth. He tells them, in lovely Lady Hawke fashion, the night the Son of God is born, the sun will set, but the earth will remain lit as if the sun were shining. As the day approaches, evil builds. And those in power set aside a date for the believers, who wait for such a sign. If the sign doesn't occur by that date, they will all be put to death. I'd like to read a bit from the Book of 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. ( And if you don't have a Book of Mormon, I recommend it! From any theological standpoint, it's' a fascinating witness of Jesus Christ, and one for consideration regardless of your personal beliefs or affiliations.)

And it came to pass that in the commencement of the ninety and second year, behold, the prophecies of the prophets began to be fulfilled more fully; for there began to be greater signs and greater miracles wrought among the people.

5 But there were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled, which were spoken by Samuel, the Lamanite.

6 And they began to rejoice over their brethren, saying: Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain.

7 And it came to pass that they did make a great uproar throughout the land; and the people who believed began to be very sorrowful, lest by any means those things which had been spoken might not come to pass.

8 But behold, they did watch steadfastly for that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night, that they might know that their faith had not been vain.

9 Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.

10 Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.

11 And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers.

12 And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying:

13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

14 Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfil all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, and to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son—of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given.

15 And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came. So in this spirit, as we wait, with this stubborn hope, as Kate Bowler names it, I wanted to share a message my brother in law, Richard Green delivered last Sunday, about how the Lord has been with him through the darkness he and his family have experienced over the last year.This is hope in the trenches. This is audacious faith in the face of loss. This is the promise of a Savior. I hope it will find you in the dark of this winter solstice night tonight. And as one of my favorite artists, Noah Kahn sings, "DOn't let this darkness fool you. All lights turned off, can be turned on. I"ll drive all night. I'll call your mom." I hope this message feels like a call from a loving mom. And I thank Rich and his wife Whitney and his daughters Calais and Hilary for their amazing examples to me, of living in hope.

Merry Christmas my dear ones.