“He
will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning
or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Reflection
Take a few seconds and enjoy the silence of this moment. Our journey through Advent has finally come to an end. We've reached our destination. Along the road, we've visited hope, stopped along the way to visit with peace, spent some time with joy, and spent a few evenings with love. These themes of Advent have illuminated our path and guided us as we've made our way to this day. Now is the time to rest. Now is the time to reflect. Now is the time of the realization of our true Christ nature, and allow it to shine as the Star of Bethlehem.
Take a deep breath and meditate on the spiritual truth from these words from the Book of Revelation. Imagine the essential meaning
and implications of this verse. Although this verse refers to the second coming of Christ, I’m amazed that the essential truths apply to his birth as well. Through our Christ nature, our
tears are wiped away. Through Christ, there is no more death, for we all posses eternal life as spiritual beings. Through that spirit, our mourning, tears and pain
subside, as we trust in Christ with every heartache and burden. “the
old order of things has passed away.” Jesus has come into the world. In the flash of an instant, in a single moment of time, God broke
through our earthly realm and became man. He became one of us and in a short 33 years, he dwelt among us. Our burdens have. Emmanuel, God with us. He was
with us. He is with us. He will be with us. He has come. Advent.
I've always felt that Christmas Eve seems to have a magical feel to it. Almost a “real time” sense, as if the events that transpired are about to happen for the first time; and in a sense perhaps they are. Through Christ and our divine nature, all things are made new each day, as well as each year. The reality of Christmas is just as true today as it was over 2000 years ago. And as our journey and time together comes to a close, let us carry that with us beyond the Christmas Season. As we reflect over the last month of Advent, let us not think of Christmas Eve as the end of the journey, but the beginning. Hope. Peace. Joy. Love. All things new. Beginnings.
I've always felt that Christmas Eve seems to have a magical feel to it. Almost a “real time” sense, as if the events that transpired are about to happen for the first time; and in a sense perhaps they are. Through Christ and our divine nature, all things are made new each day, as well as each year. The reality of Christmas is just as true today as it was over 2000 years ago. And as our journey and time together comes to a close, let us carry that with us beyond the Christmas Season. As we reflect over the last month of Advent, let us not think of Christmas Eve as the end of the journey, but the beginning. Hope. Peace. Joy. Love. All things new. Beginnings.
Prayer
Most Gracious and Loving God, today we celebrate the birth Christ. As we come to the end of our Advent journey, we do so with hearts filled with hope, peace, joy and love. To you we give you all praise and thanks. Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Amen
May hope, love, joy and Peace be with us all!
Haribol
