Advent Reflections
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2022
By Jordan Condon, Resident Director
As we celebrate the season of Advent, we celebrate a season of joy; a season with an answer. Jesus was born into the world to give us that answer; He is our joy! Nehemiah tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. That no matter what you’ve done, or what’s been done to you there is joy to be found in Him. There is hope through His birth; through Jesus humbling Himself to step off of the throne and come into this world in order to give grace and mercy.
The Psalm reading today mentions this mercy, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever.” His mercy never ends, we are never far enough from Him that we can’t turn around and be welcomed into His embrace. His mercies are new every morning. If you are struggling in this season, I pray that you know that you are forgiven and loved.
The reading from Isaiah paints a beautiful picture of the community I believe we have here on the Hilltop. “A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. Open the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps the faith. A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you”. Let us work through the strength of our Heavenly Father to protect one another and remain firm in our faith. If we believe what it says in Nehemiah; that the joy of the Lord is our strength, then what a joy it is to trust in him to be with us and equip us to hold one another up in our faith! Let our actions reflect the love of Christ in every way possible.
The Holidays can be challenging for many for an abundance of reasons. The Gospel reading from Matthew promises us that troubles will come, “and the winds blew and buffeted the house” but the follow-up promise in the next verse states that those who build their life on the foundation of Christ will not collapse. I pray that we can each find the grace in our hearts to extend it to those around us; to come alongside our Brothers and Sisters in Christ to celebrate together and also carry each other's burdens. Every day let us intentionally seek the joy of Jesus and lend support whenever possible.
Merry Christmas, The Answer is here.