A Litany of Loss
People have undergone unprecedented loss this year. Family and friends have succumbed to death in this pandemic, millions have lost economic security through loss of jobs, some have lost businesses they built over a lifetime. Most of us have lost our beloved rhythms of life that felt familiar and gave our lives the richness of gatherings and adventure. And we can name so many losses related to hatred and violence. Throughout Advent we have proclaimed hope, love, joy, and peace in the midst of difficulty. This is the church’s gift to the world—that our faith story is grounded in the presence of God that came and dwelt among us in the midst of hardship. On this “longest night” we will move together through a litany of loss as we prepare to for the birth of the Christ Child.