Thanksgiving Day was full of loving warmth among friends, funny stories, and great food. I was not eager to see it end. Coming home in the evening to my living room, I sat there gazing at the Christmas tree’s sparkly lights. Overcome with emotion, tears blurred my vision. Oh yes, I am ever so thankful for my children, the rich life I have known personally, and the treasure of many relationships. “Unforgettable” is the way I would describe God’s amazing gifts to me, but I also deeply feel the ache of memories that are full of love but past tense.
My reflections led me to a place where I realized again that despite the inevitable advance of time and age, the inescapable pain of loss to death, there is God’s gift of hope. Christians now step into the brief season of Advent, remembering the One Who came to reconcile humanity to their Creator, and anticipating that He will come again with the complete revelation of the reign of God and the destruction of evil!
The cornerstone of Christianity is the Resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead which Paul called the “first-fruits” (evidence) of our own immortality. "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep." (1 Corinthians 15:20, NIV) The many I have laid in their graves are not lost to me forever! My own inevitable appointment with death is not a grim end, but a glorious beginning. This is the HOPE that sustains me.
On a grander scale, Advent announces hope to the world; a place too often marred by war, disease, suffering, floods, and fire. In words defying our full understanding, we are told that the King will come with perfect justice, banishing suffering, wiping away every tear. When Jesus returns, there will be the fulfillment of the promise of John’s Revelation - “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life." (Revelation 21:3-6, NIV)
So, friends, let’s receive the call of the Spirit in Whom we have hope. The word from the Word says - "Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God." (Revelation 3:2, NIV) We look forward in faith, with hope, and live with joy!
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