Advent Light - Day 2 - Holiday Haiku Challenge

Welcome to Day Two of our Holiday Haiku Challenge.

Today's guest is writer Michelle DeRusha. Michelle is the author of the incredible collection 50 Women Every Christian Should Know: Learning from Heroines of the Faith and the recently released Spiritual Misfit: A Memoir of Uneasy Faith. She writes regularly (and beautifully) here on her website, and loves connecting with women on Facebook and Twitter.

Michelle offers us today's #holidayhaiku writing prompt:

Advent Light

Advent Light

by Michelle DeRusha

It seems I’m always drawn to Isaiah during Advent – the prophecy of the coming Immanuel and the metaphors of light overcoming darkness help to orient my mind, body and soul toward the spirit of Christmas. I light the Advent candles in my dining room, lower the lights, turn on the Christmas tree, and open my Bible to Isaiah, soaking up the quiet anticipation of a new beginning that will arrive in the form of a sweet infant on Christmas Day.

This year, as we fight to see light amid darkness, as we struggle for hope in the face of senseless suffering around the globe, Isaiah’s words seem more important than ever.

“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” (Isaiah 9:2)

This Advent season, may we hold tightly onto the Light that penetrates deepest darkness. May we hold tightly onto Jesus. Amen.

If you are inspired to join our holiday haiku challenge, then leave your poetic offering of 17 syllables in the comment thread below or on Instagram, #holidayhaiku. Remember that there are 5 syllables in the first line, 7 in the middle, and another 5 on the third line. Let those few words communicate the essence of your worshipful theme. Metaphors from nature and a surprise at the end is always a nice touch to the traditional Japanese haiku. To join us from the beginning of our challenge, begin here.