Several months ago, as summer was just beginning, I wrote on behalf of the Partners in Health and Wholeness team to mark the tragic milestone of 1,000 lives lost to Covid-19 in North Carolina. Today, that number stands at over 5,500.
As we enter into the season of Advent, waiting for the earth’s turning toward the light, and the promise of the birth of the Divine in human flesh, we take a moment to hold in remembrance these precious lost lives — of our loved ones, family, friends, neighbors. Of those who have served us faithfully through their work as frontline medical staff, teachers, essential service providers. And we remember the “forgotten ones” — the elderly, the prisoner, the marginalized, who have experienced illness and death at such disproportionate rates. We are connected to each and every one of these, as part of God’s human web of life and grace, and each loss leaves us diminished.
Yet we know that the light is emerging — as are hope, peace, love, joy. This Advent season, hold your loved ones close, honor the connections we share with all human beings, practice kindness, and know that God’s promise of new Life, even Life more abundant, surely awaits us.
