Advent, for Christians marks the beginning of
waiting. In four weeks’ time they celebrate the birth of Jesus. The long
awaited day is close at hand. I awoke on Christmas Eve morning long before
dawn. My excitement stirred, but not about ripping into wrapped
holiday gifts. I anxiously waited for a morning run as the sun rose over Easter
Island.
As I ran I noticed a very large Christmas tree
brightened the darkness high on a hill. I wish it had been bright enough to
illuminate the tough coastal road under my feet. A mile or so of it that was
paved was filled with potholes; the remainder was rough rocky terrain. I turned
away from the coast and inland toward the glowing tree.
On approach I realized it was a live tree that
had been strung with lights in front of the Naval Base. I stayed the new
course, which eventually looped back to the heart of the Hanga Roa village. I
took note of where to run for the next day. Just as I was leaving, in the
distance I saw a battered Moai. This being my first morning on the Island, how
could I resist?
I sped up and ran toward the sculpture. Of
course this was in the direction I had just determined would be good for the
next day, and the turn added another thirty minutes to the morning run. This
was a half an hour I will always cherish. It was glorious to be in sacred space
on a sacred day. A smaller Christmas Tree stood on the coast. I ran
in line with the two Christmas trees and a row of Moai
that stretched from the shoreline to the highest hill in Hanga Roa.
It was a vision and experience worth waiting to have.
Wait. Run.
Tom
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