When I discovered Your words, I devoured them.
They are my joy and my heart's delight,
for I bear Your name.
The expectant waiting in Advent leads us to celebrate Christ as the Messiah, to seek Christ more every day, to know Jesus as our source of joy. In Philippians 4:4, Paul reminds, "Rejoice in The Lord always, again, I will say rejoice! The world continually bombards us with crisis and chaos, disappointment and doubt, fear and fatigue. The contrast between Paul's words and our realities appear to clash. How can we rejoice when difficult circumstances prevail, when constant hardship lingers? God's word provides His wisdom, reveals His promises, offers His hope. Reading and studying the Bible teach us how to love, when to pray, and where to serve. We can only find real joy in Jesus.
In the Nativity, hope comes quietly, love comes small, joy comes easily, but with the Crucifixion, hope faints, love chooses, and joy weeps. These two events cannot be separated, the sweet and the bittersweet. The emotions born with Jesus crash into the harsh realities of the cross; the Messiah comes because the world needs Grace. With His Resurrection, Hope shouts, Love lives, and Joy reigns! Through Grace, Christ brings us abundant life. God's word instructs us, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you." [Colossians 3:16] Discover and devour God's word. Then, and only then, can we celebrate God all day, every day. -dho
Celebrate
the Season of Giving...
As Christ is reborn in you and in me, let us ask ourselves who
else needs this Grace? Will you share the Gospel message of Jesus with others
here or throughout the world? What can you give to honor the Prince of
Peace?