A ray of hope flickers in the sky. A tiny star lights up way up high. All across the land, dawns a brand new morn. This comes to pass when a child is born”
Lyrics from “A Child is Born” originally written by Fred Jay
The song came on the radio and mom’s small chat paused, filling her and the car with transformative words of the deeper meaning of the season.
We reached our destination, but rather than quickly exiting the car like mom usually did, she put the car in park and she sat there so I did too. In those few minutes there was more to life than the day to day tasks that often seemed to consume her.
The lyrics from “When a Child Is Born” transport me back to a car ride with my mom in 1986.
The culminating refrain between Johnny Matthis and Gladys Knight heralded: ‘when a child is born’ and reminded us from the safe confines of her car to pause for a few minutes and know peace, hope, love, maybe even a tinge of hope.
The music of Advent can connect us with powerful core memories where our loved ones model gifts of faith, even though we may not realize it until years later.
In the season of Advent we prepare our hearts and minds to receive the hope that we have because Jesus has come. The Messiah’s birth has brought love and light and joy to an often dark and pain filled world. The story of Christ’s birth is powerful and transformative; it invites us to stop, to listen, to remember. It encourages us to wait in hope until God returns.
During the next few days consider noticing what others notice. Pause, listen to stories of pain and loss, of joy and hope—it is a message we all share. It is a message we all experience. It is a message that reminds us of why God came among us in the first place. It is the reason why the Christ child was born.
God of hope, we are prepared for your hope. Help us to stop and listen for your presence.
AMEN
6 Responses
Thank you for this tender reminder to listen and hope..
Thanks Britt!
Pause today and remember the Truth.
I Remember Pastor Jillian.
Thanks Cathy!
Thank you, Pastor Fritch-Gallatin for your Advent devotion on peace, hope, and love. I was reminded of how the Holy Spirit has been able to work through my family of origin over the decades. Yes, there have been times of pain and loss, but Christ Jesus remains all-powerful and transformational.
I appreciate this reminder at a time of year when days seem to fly by. The blur of preparing for Christmas can block our ability to ponder and focus on the real reason of Christmas. And we can miss “seeing” or hearing others who are not feeling the presence of our Lord in their lives, in their situations. Help us focus on what matters most.