Merry Christmas everyone!
Today is the big day that we’ve all been waiting for. All throughout the Advent season we’ve been longing for this day to come; the day we can finally celebrate the arrival of the baby Jesus.
For those of you who have been following along with the Advent wreath, all four of the outer candles representing hope, peace, joy and love have already been lit. Each week as we light another candle the light gets brighter and brighter; the darkness receding to nothingness. Until today, Christmas Day, we haven’t been able to light the center candle; the Christ candle.
Finally today we can light the ultimate candle, the one that lights up the whole world and eliminates all darkness once and for all. Today is the day we can sing from the mountaintops: “Joy to the world. The Lord Has Come.”
Today we can begin to imagine what life will be like when everything is made right once and for all.
We can imagine a day when there is no more pain and suffering.
A day when there is no more war, greed, violence, fear.
A day when there is no more sickness, addiction, homelessness, abuse, loneliness.
A day when there are no more broken families, broken dreams, broken hearts.
A day when we can finally close down our ministries because everyone has a home.
A day when our work is finished.
I know some of you are working today. Some are at home with family doing your annual Christmas traditions. Wherever you are, I hope and pray that you each have a blessed and Merry Christmas.
Thank you all on behalf of Bradley and the THHS Management Team for the work you do to bring peace, hope and love to the world.
Joy to the World. The Lord has come!
Let earth receive her King.
Amen.