Pastor’s eNote: Weekly Update

The Lord is my light, my light and salvation:
in God I trust, in God I trust.
The Lord is my light, my light and salvation:
in God I trust, in God I trust.

The Lord Is My Light

From the Taizé Community, 1991

Advent and Christmas happen during some of the days with the least amount of daylight. These “dark” days are a challenge for many of us. Some struggle with “Sundowners” syndrome, while others are faced with the realities of loved ones who have passed and are now absent from us during this time of year. While there is always cause to rejoice in this season, we must also admit the reality of despair some are carrying right now.

Holding despair and even lament are so very difficult for us. Perhaps this is because holding such things is discouraged in our world. The addiction and persuasive force of “happiness” that run rampant in these 21st century days keep us from the needed work holding what is simply lost to us.

In these Advent days, we are encouraged to step into these places of lament for it is there, and at times only there, that we find a Savior ready to meet with us in our lamenting moments. Scripture is filled with songs of lament. We even have entire book in the Bible called Lamentations whose subject is such matters.

If you have been avoiding the important work of lament, take liberty to hold it and sit with it. Consider drawing or journaling about it. Find expression to what you might be carrying on the inside. This is what the scriptures give us permission to do.

“Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.” – Ecclesiastes 7:3 (NIV)

May the song above begin to accompany you in this hard work. The lyric is not intended to jar us out of lament, rather it is to accompany us. We follow a crucified man of sorrows. We must surely remember that his birth is the beginning of his suffering passion. Through the incarnation of God in Jesus, we now have a companion who reminds us that, “The Lord is my light…”

P.S. A reminder to you of “Advent in the City” happening this Wednesday at FFMC. This service of prayer uses the music of Taizé as a path for prayer. For more information please visit: https://subspla.sh/s2t5frj

Grace to You All,

Pastor Craig Brown

(December 2nd, 2025)