Our theme for Advent this year is, “So All Will Know”. For four weeks we’ll long for and then celebrate the coming of the Christ child. Our Advent book will be our guide as we share with each other the grace of Christ. This year let us remember that Jesus came into a world where might made right, oppression reigned, and hope found no voice – until the birth of a baby in far away Bethlehem. Surrounded by stalls and celebrated by shepherds, hope came into the world. Then the shepherds “made known abroad the saying told them concerning this child” and “all that heard it wondered at those things told them by the shepherds.” Hope was born for all to see and to know, but someone had to tell the story. As Jesus grew and began telling his story for himself, he gathered a band of disciples around himself, the youngest of which wrote, “for God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John said Jesus came so that the whole world would know the love of God. Jesus said, “I have come to give them joy and to make that joy complete,” and “Peace I leave you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives, but my peace I give to you.” Hope. Love. Joy. Peace. These are the gifts of God through His Son, our Savior, King Jesus. They are gifts for all the world to share. The angel sang, “good news of great joy which shall be for all the people.” This Advent, let us share the saying of the shepherds. Let us share with someone we love the love of the Father. Let us seek the joy and peace of Jesus both for ourselves and for all the world. Indeed, Jesus came So All Will Know.
grace and peace,
Steve
