Last Sunday, was the First Sunday of Advent. This year I have decided to dedicate the Sunday posts on Nick’s Bytes to the lighting of the candles of Advent. I missed the First Sunday due to posting on World AIDS Day a day early so as not to disappoint the hundreds who drop by for the Too Bad It’s Monday jokes. A few minutes ago I decided to take a break from the creation of tomorrow’s Coffeehouse (which will feature Arlo Guthrie) to write about Advent One.
Before I address Advent, I want to share some very good news. This afternoon I received the following email regarding Camryn:
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 3:45 p.m.: The team of Doctors and Therapist met with us today. They assessed that Camryn has progressed positively enough with the present course of care, that she can go home Wednesday of this week and then follow up with Out Patient Therapy three days a week. They also cleared her to go back to school, pending the school is comfortable with her limited mobility and her need to be out for her prescribed therapy sessions. We are so excited, and also nervous about getting her back home. She however is just plain excited. We continue to express our gratitude for all the prayers, visits, cards, emails and gifts. The support we have received as a family during this trial has been overwhelming.
Hope is the theme and candle lighted on the First Sunday of Advent. Through the years I have celebrated this First Sunday, I can honestly say that this year is the first year I have been filled with hope. Even with wars, terrorist attacks, the continued rape of the earth and our environment, and being in the midst of an acknowledged recession, I have a sense of hope for the future of this aching planet.
I can’t tell you why I feel that hope is in the winds. As a theologian, I know the many times the word hope is used in the bible, my favorite being:
…those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
I believe in that promise, for I have experienced it in my life. But my feeling of hope this year is different—it isn’t personal; it is universal. Beyond that, I can’t explain it.
So I end with a song I have sung many times as a benediction:
Go Now in Peace ~ Joe Wise
That is good news indeed about Camryn,thank you for sharing this.Peace be with you my brother.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update on the child. That is good news. I hope that your hope is right.
ReplyDeletei don't have much hope or peace right now but that was a nice song and the update on camryn was good to see.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update on Camryn. Great news!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't raised with Advent being a part of my life, so I am pretty ignorant about it. I do like the ritual and the reflection. I look forward to learning about the other themes as you write about them.
Thank you, Nick.
Hi Nick. Do you have Advent calendars? We do, with a little square being opened every day, which has a biblical message and a little chocolate for whoever has the turn of opening it...in the case of two or more kids in the household.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the good news about Camryn.
I'm glad that Camryn's doing so well. I feel hope, too. Thanks for the Advent post.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to do it in a bloggy way but can't think of a lot.
ReplyDelete