Advent Day 22: Believe
True God of true God,
Light from Light eternal,
Light from Light eternal,
Lo, he shuns not the Virgin's womb;
Son of the Father, begotten,
not created;
not created;
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
(“O Come, All Ye Faithful”
by John F. Wade)
(“O Come, All Ye Faithful”
by John F. Wade)
“To all who received him (the Word), who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.” —John 1:13
Recognizing God by Barry Shields
This year I’ve been busy planning to spend time with family and friends during the holiday season. But it hasn’t always been like this. There were many years where my loved ones had no idea where I was. Or even if I was alive…
I grew up in a divorced family full of dysfunction. Over the years, it took a toll on me. Harboring anger and resentment, I turned to drugs and alcohol to numb what I was feeling. (Growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, we never talked about our problems—that’s the way the culture was).
As a young man, I was molded into a life of loneliness and destitution.
...but God never gave up on me. Many times, God would knock at my door, but I would never answer. I was so good at isolating myself that I could act out a “2 minute” greeting with a smile on my face and most people would never know how troubled I was. But deep down, I was crying for help.
God used many people to pursue me, but I refused to recognize it.
...until I finally realized that the real problem was me. I had to ask God to forgive me. And I had to forgive others—had to recognize my identity (and also live like) a child of God.
In April, I will participate in my third weekend with the Kairos prison ministry.
Our motto is “Listen, Listen, Love, Love.”
Exercising our motto isn’t always easy, but God reminds me where I came from. I rejected his word countless times when people would tell me of His Love. I tried to live life every way possible just to keep things in my control, but God was the hound of heaven who patiently pursued me and loved me through many circumstances until I finally saw (recognized) The Light.
“The light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it.” —John 1:5
Jesus’ last words before he ascended into heaven were “be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He knew we would have obstacles to overcome, but he also gives us the ability to overcome. What a blessing! That reminder gives me patience when encouraging others. Praise God for grace and mercy! ...and praise God for leading me home in faith.
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;
True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
Lo, He shuns not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;
Lo, He shuns not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;
Tomorrow’s word: Neighborhood →
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