We all have things we long for. At the moment it is probably an end to the virus, but most of us have other concerns.  This Sunday is Human Rights’ Sunday; a reminder that many people long for freedoms we take for granted. Advent is a time when we recognise that neither the world nor we ourselves are as we would wish. As a Christian I turn to the life of Jesus, who I believe opened a new way of living. The words below are a hymn, written by Bernadette Farrell, which express to me what Advent means; my longing to see the Christ in this age.

 

Longing for light, we wait in darkness.

Longing for truth, we turn to you.

Make us your own, your holy people,

light for the world to see.

 

Longing for peace, our world is troubled.

Longing for hope, many despair.

Your word alone has power to save us.

Make us your living voice.

 

Longing for food, many are hungry.

Longing for water, many still thirst.

Make us your bread, broken for others,

shared until all are fed.

 

Longing for shelter, many are homeless.

Longing for warmth, many are cold.

Make us your building, sheltering others,

walls made of living stone.

 

Many the gifts, many the people,

many the hearts that yearn to belong.

Let us be servants to one another,

making your kingdom come.

 

Christ be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness.

Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered today.

 

(See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt3Qc04ulOM to hear the hymn)