Thank You for the Bridge

A Note About This Week's Notes
This year's Advent Devotion submissions contained a higher than usual number of entries addressing difficult circumstances and feelings, and several contributors expressed concern that maybe they had been "too dark." We have encouraged them — and we want to encourage you — that we appreciate your authenticity, and that Advent is all about God working and being present in the darkness as we wait for the light to come.

To honor all who are going through dark places right now, we have grouped these entries together for the week leading up to our Longest Night (Blue Christmas) Service on 12/21. Wherever you are, whatever you're facing, and whatever you're feeling (or not feeling) right now, you are welcome in this place with us.

In many ways, 2025 was a difficult and painful year for me. My sister suffered a stroke at the end of March. As I sat with her in the ER that night, I knew deep down that she was not going to live, and I felt equally sure that her death was something I was not going to be able to bear; something I was sure I wouldn’t be able to get to the other side of.

Thank you God, for showing me that I could get to the other side of that, and for providing the bridge to carry me across. 

Thank you for making your love so real to me through the overwhelming love, care, and presence of others, especially my church family. Thank you for the way your Spirit moved through them to comfort me and remind me I am never alone, and that you are always with me and with my sister, even in her death. 

I am forever grateful.

Reflect & Respond

• When have you faced something you were afraid—or even certain—you would not be able to bear? What happened?
• Are you or is someone close to you going through dark places right now? What has been your response so far?
• What is God's message to you for in your dark places? Spend a few moments listening and/or repeating it to yourself. If you're not sure, consider asking a pastor or a close friend to support you in prayer about it.