WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6

Job 33:28 -He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light.

As the celebration of the birth of our Savior approaches, it is appropriate to reflect on just what it is that Christ has done for us. What would our world be like without his birth, death and resurrection?

On a daily basis, I see some of the ugliest sides of human existence. It is easy to lose hope when one sees, up close and personal, the damage we do to each other by our actions and inactions. The world is an unfriendly place, and there never seems to be enough that can be done to make it a safer and more wholesome place to live and raise our families.

This is where today’s scripture comes in. I have Christ in my life and with that comes the central message of the Gospel  - the Kingdom of God is near. Many of us have visions of what that will be like - streets of gold, no more hunger or sorrow, and many others. For me, Christ’s proclamation, “The Kingdom of God is Near,” means that even in the midst of life’s ugliest situations there is hope. Hope for a better life, a safer world, and for eternal life in a place where there is not more hunger or sorrow.

As we celebrate this Advent season, I will remember that it is Christ and his birth, death and resurrection that allows me to escape the horror of our world and to live the light - the glorious light of hope.

Bill H.