advent

The lyrics to this well-known Christmas song have been the theme to what I am dwelling on this advent season.

Lately things have just been hard. I've seen girls that I work with experience some heartbreaking things. People close to me have experienced loss. I've known people to take their own lives away and others who have wondered if their lives are worth living. I've seen people who live with much and others who live with very little.

It is honestly overwhelming. However, these experiences could not have come at a better time. It is the season of advent that brings perspective. It is the season that we remember the specific reason we celebrate the birth of Christ.

The long-awaited savior came into this world in the most unexpected way. He was born into a situation which seemed so unfortunate but could not be any more beautiful.

This baby brought light.

His entrance to the world brought hope to all people. His light shined brightly in the darkness.

Things felt different. They felt better.

This baby changed everything.

This season of advent has helped me realize all over again that the birth of Jesus brought hope for the world.

As a follower of Jesus, with his spirit in me, have the ability to share that same hope in this world that feels dark with sad things happening day after day. 

This spirit that resides in us as believers brings peace in the midst of chaos,  joy in sadness, hope when all feels lost. 

In this dark world the spirit in us brings light.

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Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! Luke 2:9-11