— Psalm 37:1
Since my last writing, we have all been vividly reminded of the evil, so rampant in our world today. The mid-November series of coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris — at cafes, restaurants, a music venue and at the Bataclan Theatre, reminds us again, we are living in perilous times.
How do we live in the face of such evil? We could choose to give up, hide and live our lives in fear, but it is then that we must remember that God is still on His throne and still in control.
"... For You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth." (Isaiah 37:16)
There is a kingdom of evil and the kingdom of God. He has planted seeds of His kingdom in the hearts of His people throughout our world.
Though for a time, evil abounds, eventually, at our Lord's timing — "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10)
This includes those present day evil doers. Trust, being the antidote for an anxious heart, more than ever, I think we are called upon to show the essence of our faith. We trust in our Sovereign God while living in a troubled world.
Last Sunday was the beginning of Advent — a Latin word — adventus, meaning "coming" — the holiday season when we honour Jesus.
It originated in Germany in the late 19th Century. We focus our minds on the coming of Christ that first Christmas, the coming of Christ in our lives today, and His second coming at the end of time.
The advent wreath is a circle of evergreen plants symbolizing God's never changing nature. Within its circle are four candles, one to be lit each of the four Sundays in December.
The first candle represents Hope, the second Preparation, the third Joy, and the fourth Love. We need "Hope," reminding us that, "the eternal God is our refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33:27)
As we remember... His birth was for his death, and His death was for our birth — "He... who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29)
Jesus said his followers are the light of the world. It is our duty then to reflect our light into the darkness around us. We must show love love in the face of hatred, patience in response to trouble, and peace in moments of conflict.
Our light is a reflection of Jesus the Son, the very one that came as a babe that first Christmas.
We had a lovely beginning to our Advent season last Sunday evening after our dinner.
Karen, having prepared the wreath with its candles, we lit the first one representing Hope.
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| Ann Voskamp |
We followed with quiet moments of prayer. You may wish to check in on her website.
— beulah
Thank you Beulah. I needed that.
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