December 13 Advent thoughts 

Lord, now you are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for the revelation of the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. Luke 2:29-32 

This is a season of hope, of life, laughter, love. But into every season comes pain. Earlier this year I lost my father. But I have had many months now to reflect, grieve, come to terms, whatever. Which for me has never been overly hard, I do believe strongly upon the scriptural promise of a reuniting in the resurrection. I take the death of dear pets harder than I do people. But at this time of year I know it hits harder, the loss of a loved one this close to Christmas, especially for a loved parent. Because they have always been there for us. But now there is a hole in our hearts. Maybe we have not seen them as often as we would like. Maybe they lived far away. Maybe they were elderly, maybe infirmed. But we can no longer call them up, no longer seek their advice, no longer laugh and love with them. But if they have known Christ, then they have departed in peace. And is departed really the right word? Yes, they have departed here, but only in the sense that they are now ahead of us. They get to celebrate the birth of the King WITH the King. And they get to do it with no pain, no heartache, no worries. They get to do it in the presence of others that went before them-perhaps a spouse, or parent, or grandchild they never knew. In the gospel of John, Christ promised to leave us with peace as He went on before us to prepare. As we look at the Babe in the manger, let us seek out and live in this peace that He has promised for all and look forward to an even greater peace and celebration with Him in His kingdom with all of our loved ones who have gone-not for ever, just ahead of us. 

I heard the bells on Christmas day,  

their old familiar carols play. 

And wild and sweet, their words repeat, 

of peace on earth, good will to men. 

-I Hear the Bells, written by H. W. Longfellow, 1863