A Touch of Purple
Monday, December 2, 2024
by: Bambi Wheeler
Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7
A short time back, I returned home from a mission trip very late at night, and I walked into my house to discover that my bedroom had been transformed. My bedding was replaced with a beautiful purple floral comforter, all the room accessories were updated to match, and to top it off, there was a new phone cover that matched the room—because, why not? The little interior design elf responsible for the transformation was my mother, and her reason for the transformation was simple: “I know you’re about to enter a tough season, and I wanted you to have a touch of purple to help get you through.”
Purple is my favorite color. For whatever reason, when I see beautiful shades of purple, my mood lifts. When things feel bleak, purple gives me hope. When life feels chaotic, purple brings me peace. And when someone gifts me something purple, it feels personal, and I feel deeply loved.
My mom was right: I was entering a very difficult season, and I would need that touch of purple. There were days when the pain in my heart felt so intense, I thought it might explode. On some of my hardest days, I would retreat to my room just to be surrounded by “purple,” and it was there that I would find a sense of hope. It reminded me that if my mom loved me enough to anticipate the pain I would endure and already had a plan in place to offer me comfort, then how much more does God love me? Enough to reassure me many times during those months that the darkness and despair will not go on forever- THAT’S how much.
Sometimes life is really hard. We wish that God's children would never face hardship, but we live in a fallen world, and unfortunately, adversity is a reality. The Israelites knew this all too well. In the book of Isaiah, we see a people entering a very tough season. Because of their continued disobedience, their nation was about to be overtaken by the cruel Assyrian army. In chapter 8 of Isaiah, God warns the prophet that the people around him are going to encourage him to focus on the despair around him and to consult worldly entities for wisdom and peace. But he is not going to find peace and answers from the world; their answers, in contradiction to God’s instructions, will lead to darkness and despair. In chapter 9, however, God shows Isaiah exactly where his hope lies. Yes, things will be dark for a time, but “…that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever.” God’s plan was already in motion: a child would be born who would bring hope. This child, Jesus, would break the yoke of slavery, lift our burdens, and bring peace—a peace that would never end. Things WERE going to be dark for a while, yes, but our loving Father already had a plan in place that could inspire hope in the darkness for His children, because He loves us that much.
As we enter the Advent season, one of my favorite UMC traditions is the lighting of the Advent candles. Three of the candles are purple, symbolizing hope, peace, and love. As we light the candle of love, we are reminded of God's immense love for the world—so much so that He gave His only Son, who came to us as a baby more than 2,000 years ago.
When we light the candle of hope, we can rest in the promise that we don’t have to carry our burdens alone. Our hope is in the One who invited us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Finally, as we light the candle of peace, we celebrate the Prince of Peace, whose reign and peace will never end. This peace was promised to Israel, and it is also promised to us—a peace far greater than anything the world can offer. It is eternal peace, rooted in the love and presence of Christ.
If you're going through a tough season, you too may need a touch of purple to help you through. Hold on to the hope, peace, and love Christ offers, and remember that no matter what you're facing, the darkness and despair will not last forever.
A Prayer for the First Sunday of Advent
Father, let your hope arise in our hearts! Lift our eyes up to see that you alone are where our hope comes from. Help us to shake off the anxiety, discouragements, and distractions that have filled this year.
May we pause to remember that we have hope in you.
You know the end of our stories, and we give thanks because you have promised that it will be a victorious ending. Give us the grace we need to wrap up this year joyfully.
We invite your Spirit into this beautiful Advent season. Renew our sense of holy anticipation! Let us be those who are waiting eagerly for Jesus to come again.
More than anything, we ask that you be glorified in this season of expectation.
Amen.
Prayer from crosswalk.com
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