1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us in that we should be called God’s children, and that is what we are! Because the world didn’t recognize him, it doesn’t recognize us.
2 Dear friends, now we are God’s children, and it hasn’t yet appeared what we will be. We know that when he appears we will be like him because we’ll see him as he is. 3 And all who have this hope in him purify themselves even as he is pure.
Reflection
Christmas as a child did feel differently to me than it does now. I remember as a child having a feeling of great anticipation and excitement throughout the Christmas Season. I also remember having a sense of joy, hope, and peace throughout the season and especially on Christmas Eve. It always did feel like something special was in the air on that Holy Night.
Now as an adult, while I still love what Christmas is supposed to represent, I have to admit in the midst of the busyness and all the extra stuff that seems to come with the season on top of the regular every day stress of life, I find myself more looking forward to the end of the season, rather than taking time to enjoy the wonder and joy of the season.
So, as I begin this Advent season and read today’s passage from 1 John about being called a beloved child of God and the hope this provides, I am challenging myself to be intentional about recapturing the feelings of joy, hope, and peace I had as kid during Christmas. No matter what is going on in the world around me, I am going to try to keep myself centered on the fact that I am a beloved child of God. I am going to try to stay focused on the fact that God did come to this world on that first Christmas Eve, God is at work in this world now, and God will appear again. Like a child waiting for Christmas, I pray that I may wait for God with great anticipation and excitement and may this give me the same feelings of joy, hope, and peace I had as a child not only this Christmas but every day.
by Manny Estevez
For Pondering and Prayer
Do you feel joy, hope, and peace during Christmas or are you struggling to get through the season? If you are struggling, are there things you can intentionally do to help you capture some joy, hope, and peace?
Prayer: Loving God, no matter what is going on in the world around us, may we always know that you love us and we are your children and may this give us joy, hope and peace not only this Christmas, but every day until you appear to us again. In the loving name of Jesus we pray, amen.
