Christ.

The last candle of Advent has been lit, and the twelve days of Christmas now begin. Christ has come.

As Christians our challenge, if we really believe it, is to know that Christ comes every day when we hold on to hope, work for peace, seek joy, and love deeply.

The journey of Advent is a never-ending one. That first not-so-silent night was just the beginning of the pilgrimage of change in our world. This is why we shouldn’t rush to light our “Silent Night” candles so we can hurry and get to the flurry of Christmas morning. The lighting of the Christ candle takes slowing down and seeking our call and purpose.

Christ still comes every day if we still seek him where his love, light, and messages of justice and restoration are needed most.

We light the candle of Christ, and then we work to carry that light to anywhere darkness threatens and overwhelms.

That is a journey that never ends.