Walking in the Light of the Lord

Advent was only a week away.  Michelle Hardie and her husband thought they would see what their children remembered from their family devotions from the year before. so Michelle asked the kids, “Who can tell me what the four candles in the Advent Wreath represent?

Seven year old Luke eagerly exclaimed… ”There’s love, joy, peace and….uh…and…uh.”

That’s when six year old Elise said, “I know, I know. There’s love, joy, peace and quiet.”

To be honest, a little peace and quiet would probably be refreshing during this hectic season of the year. Have you noticed that every year the Christmas season seems to be getting earlier and earlier. I actually saw Christmas decorations in a store before Halloween. As one person said, he “could have sworn that he saw a turkey in a pear tree.”

Yet, this time of the year is very important to us as we prepare our hearts and minds for the celebration of Christ’s birth.

There is much in our world that causes us concern. Economic crisis continues here in the United States, while conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq continues to destroy the lives of our children and theirs. But God comes along at this time of the year to tell us that there is hope. And that hope is found in the coming of Messiah.

The Prophet Isaiah proclaims this hope for God’s Kingdom when he said, “He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they train for war anymore. Come, O House of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord!” (Isaiah 2:4-5)

When Isaiah wrote these words life for Israel was pretty grim. They were threatened by powerful enemies and things looked bad. Yet, in spite of their dire circumstances, Isaiah says, “There is hope. The day will come when God’s will is perfectly done on earth as it is in heaven.” We are not there yet. But until that day arrives, it is our responsibility to live as if it were already here.

So let us all make a conscious effort in the weeks to come to “walk in the Light of the Lord” and carry the kingdom of God in our hearts.

How will you prepare for Christ this advent?

Tim Hobbs, Pastor