Ascension : News From The Grotto-Thought For the Week - 2nd Sunday of Advent
Submitted by The Islander (Shari Parkhill) 11.12.2008 (Article Archived on 25.12.2008)

This past Sunday was the second Sunday in Advent. Around Ascension the holiday season is in full swing.

This past Sunday was the second Sunday in Advent.  Around Ascension the holiday season is in full swing.  Christmas parties are happening, decorations are going up, and Christmas lights are illuminating the darkness.  It’s all looking very festive as folks get ready for the big day.  School ends early this year and many people are heading off to different places for Christmas, the UK, St. Helena or America.  For those of us staying on island this year, we are looking forward to a quiet Christmas, spent with friends.

               The lights that we use to decorate our houses, stores, offices and rooms serve a dual purpose.  They add a festive air to the island, but they also remind us of the light that shines down on us from God.  Light is so important in our lives.  The sun lights our days and illuminates the wonderful world that God has given us.  It allows us to view the spectacular scenery no matter where in the world we are.  Here on Ascension it is particularly magnificent.

               The moon and stars that shine at night serve as a beacon, and a reminder that even though the sun has hidden itself, we are not alone in the dark.  The other night when the moon was a small crescent, and the two planets were aligned under it, was a beautiful sight.  The sheer number of stars that are visible on a clear night here is staggering.  It reminds us that we are in the middle of a vast, wondrous universe.

               But, even with the moon to serve as a beacon during the hours of darkness, it isn’t enough to find our way around.  I speak from experience from a number of evenings when we’ve been clearing Warpath, and headed back a little on the late side.  Since we have made it farther along the path, we sometimes forget that it will take us longer to get back to the road.  And so, on more occasions than we like to remember, we’ve made our way back along the path in the darkness.  If it wasn’t for the torches, we’d have been in real trouble navigating the rocky patches, avoiding roots and negotiating the steep edges.

               So, no matter how much light God gives us, we can always use some more.  This goes for friendship, support, and help.  A good friend is a type of light in our lives.  They make us smile, they give advice and a shoulder to cry on when we need it.  I am so grateful for all the good friends in my life.  They come from all walks of life, from different backgrounds, cultures, religions and life experiences.  Different friends share different interests, but they all contribute so much to my life.  They add a richness to my life that I am blessed to have.

               I hope that in return I am a light in someone else’s life; that my friendship is also a blessing in their life and that I give back as much as I get.   Life is a circle of sharing, laughter, love, sadness and pain.   This is the definition of friendship.  

               So, in this Advent season, when we are anticipating the arrival of the Holy Child, let us always remember to be thankful for our friends, and to be a true friend to others.  Friends are one of God’s greatest blessings.  Christmas is a time when we gather with our friends, to celebrate the season.  It is a good time to remember to thank these special people for what they add to our lives. 

               May God bless us all in this Christmas season.  And to all my friends, thank you for being a wonderful part of my life.  May God shower you all with blessings and good times.