Hope During Advent
Monday, December 21, 2009
Feelings of loss and loneliness tend to well up in me at this time of year, which is ironic. For a Christian, next to Easter this should be the most joyous season. But I find my thoughts straying back to Christmas past, and longer dinner tables flanked by laughing loved ones, now absent.
Something a friend said to me today reminded me of a TV show about D-day I once saw. There were interviews with old veterans who had survived that terrible slaughter, interspaced with film clips shot in the midst of battle. One old man described being on the beach, taking shelter from deadly machine gun fire behind a tiny obstruction. Another soldier beside him began to crack up. The old man in the interview said, “I just told him, ‘Think positive, man,’ and we kept going.”
The remarkable courage of that statement has always stayed with me. In the end, it really is that simple. You think positive, and keep going. And in a Christian’s case of course, thinking positive is thinking Jesus. I am so grateful for the hope found in the manger, and in the empty tomb.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)
Happy birthday Jesus!
Posted byAthol Dickson at 7:26 AM
Labels: The Jesus Way
We always see the words "Joy," "Rejoice," and "Peace" associated with this time of year.
To me, the word that best captures God With Us is "Hope."
I have too many guests. If you lived closer I'd send some of them over. Then you'd be praying for some peace and quite.
I got your point though. I'm just trying to be a goof as usual.
Merry Christmas.
Steve Taylor
"...thinking positive is thinking Jesus." Yes, absolutely! Thanks for the reminder.
New year blessings to you, Athol!