[Advent] The Joy of Anna
“Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 52:9) Let’s imagine a little today. You’re seven years old again. It’s a few days before Christmas, and a big box has appeared under the tree. And it’s just the right size to be that thing you’ve been wanting so badly. (What is it for young you – perhaps a bike? A game? A sled? Fancy shoes?) It feels like Christmas morning will never get here. Hours stretch by with hope and longing. But sure enough – 25 December, you race to the tree and rip off…
[Advent Week 4] The Shepherd’s Candle
Each of my sons traveled to China with my mom over their 16th birthdays. It was an amazing experience and I was so grateful for them to have it with their grandma, serving God and his people. But I missed them terribly when they were away. And counted the days until I could see them again with growing anticipation. We had a joyful reunion at the airport when each one returned. I’m not good at waiting. The month-long wait for my sons to return felt like an eternity. I can’t begin to imagine what the waiting must have felt like for God’s people in anticipation of the Messiah. This Advent…
Advent: Joy in the Darkness
Depression. Anxiety. Crime. Suicide. Darkness. If you’ve watched the news at all during the past 3 years… if you have teenagers…. if your teens have friends…. There’s not a lot of talk about joy. But there’s a whole lot of talk about how hard life is. So how do we talk about joy at Christmas? I’ve recently asked myself that very question. My husband of 36 years this month is gone. He’s never coming back here. I know he’s out of pain. I know he’s in a better place. But where does that leave me? Mental health professionals tell us the holidays are the hardest time of year for many…
