At this time of year, we hear promises. Amid the din, noise and distractions of this world, we keep getting messages of hope. Whether it is an Advent service or a Hanukkah service, light appears in winter darkness.

With Dickens, we might think we are in the worst of times. Times when elected leaders lie. Times when greed trumps love and compassion. Times when we ignore biblical teaching about welcoming strangers and refugees. Times when hate crime speech and acts dominate the evening news. Times when people are vilified because of their sexual orientation. Times when people of color are more likely to be victimized by police.

Thousands of years ago, Isaiah proclaimed hope–lions and lambs will lie together. There will be peace on earth. There will be a banquet on the highest mountain with the choicest meats and wine. Every tear will be wiped away.

The Spirit of the Cosmic Christ that loomed over the act of creation is still at work. We have achieved all or part of the promise such as the end of slavery and the recognition of women’s rights; however, much more remains to be done in these areas and other areas before justice–right order–will rule.

The Holy One works slowly through the evolving universe. Jim Gibbs, the founder of Gibbs Gardens, also teaches us that human endeavors develop slowly. He took 30 years to develop his botanical gardens in Georgia. The picture above is the Monet Bridge in the gardens. The picture below is from the Japanese garden. The Gardens are “charged with the grandeur” of the Holy One. From April until November, the Gardens, feature daffodils, day lilies, water lilies, roses, wildflowers, and the largest Japanese Garden in the United States. Step by step, he followed his dream until it became reality. (http://www gibbsgardens.com)

We can lament that the Holy One is working much too slowly to bring creation to completion. Or, we too can nurture our imagination, roll up our selves and accept the invitation to be co-creators. We can become the light in the darkness. We can develop beauty amid chaos. We can bring light to darkness. It is up to us to bring about the promise of hope and make it a living reality.