I love to hear Andy Williams' recording of "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." The song is upbeat and filled with wonderful images of Christmas celebrations. But the sad reality for some Christians is that Christmas is anything but the most wonderful time of the year. The holiday only intensifies their pain, loneliness, regrets, depression. . .not quite the emotions that celebrating the coming of our Lord should evoke.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke to this as we read our Advent devotions this morning:
Stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:28
"Are we going to join in this movement that comes down from heaven to earth, or are we going to close ourselves off? Christmas is coming -- whether it is with us or without us depends on each and every one of us. Such a true Advent happening now creates something different from the anxious, petty, depressed, feeble Christian spirit that we see again and again, and that again and again wants to make Christianity contemptible. . .Advent creates people, new people. We too are supposed to become new people in Advent. Look up, you whose gaze is fixed on this earth, who are spell bound by the little events and changes on the face of the earth. Look up to these words, you who have turned away from heaven disappointed. Look up, you whose eyes are heavy with tears and who are heavy and who are crying over the fact that the earth has gracelessly torn us away. Look up, you who, burdened with guilt, cannot lift your eyes. Look up, your redemption is drawing near. Something different from what you see daily will happen. Just be aware, be watchful, wait just another short moment. Wait and something will break over you: God will come."
My prayer for you is that you will be able to look to the One who is the only source of true hope, love, forgiveness, healing. The Lord Jesus came so that we do not have to remain in our miserable state, neither now or for eternity. Lift up your heads and see the Savior!
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