Hope for a Broken World
by Tim Edmond
It's that time of year again. We are less than two weeks from Christmas, and I am excited! The tree has been up and gloriously decorated, the old recipe book filled with holiday favorites has made its appearance to prepare Christmas dinner and desserts (No, we will not be experimenting with recipes this close to Christmas. Only the tried-and-true delicacies will be set on the table.) My dogs, Hannibal and Dexter, have worn (and now torn) their reindeer antlers, and the radio is blasting my favorite Christmas songs.
This is the time of year that we’ll get to see family and friends that we haven’t seen in a long time. We’ll celebrate, eat and make memories that will hold us over until the next Christmas gathering. Gifts will be exchanged, and laughter will be shared as we reminisce on Christmas of past years.
May we never forget the reason that we gather as families, and that we celebrate the true reason for this season which is the coming of the promised Messiah. God the Son wrapped in the humility of humanity. God made flesh and dwelling among us. May we think of the words that have inspired our Advent season:
“Christ has come to bring HOPE to a broken world.”
“His name shall be Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of PEACE.”
“God so LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”
“Good news of great tidings, tidings of comfort and JOY!”
Hope, Peace, Love and Joy. Just like the candles in our Advent wreath, words circle around the meaning of Christmas that stands in the center, CHRIST.
I hope you will join us on Saturday, December 24, at 4 or 6 p.m. as we light the final Candle of the Advent season. The Christ Candle. For it is Christ who gives us hope, peace, love and joy.
I also hope that you will see Sunday as the rare opportunity to gather with fellow believers in the family of God as we celebrate Christ on Christmas day at 10:30 a.m.
May you all have a wonderful Christmas!
Author Bio
Tim serves as the Worship Director at Council Road Baptist Church. Previously he served as Worship Minister at several Baptist churches throughout the north Texas area. A graduate of Texas Baptist College at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Vocal Performance, Tim desires to help the local church bridge the gap between artistic performance and church ministry with excellence and solid theological foundation.