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All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it. (The Gospel of John 1:3-5, NRSVue )
What does it mean to truly live in the moment? How can we be present and still carry the hope of a better tomorrow?
Years ago, my wife and I were newly engaged and received a an unusual piece of advice from a family friend: he said in part, “even though you are excited to get married - and you should be - take time to live in and appreciate what it is to be engaged.” At the time, this seemed like *important* advice, but I had no idea what it meant!
As I have grown, so has my understanding of his words. Today, I believe he was encouraging us not to be so focused on the great things that are coming tomorrow, that we lose focus on the good things God’s doing today. Even when we know by faith that a blessing is coming, we should know by witness that we are being blessed right now.
Monday was a difficult day for many of us, and none the less because of news of a horrific and senseless attack on unarmed security guards in a Center City department store that led to one of them losing his life amidst the store’s Christmas sales and decorations. That same night, I was visiting another department store and saw at least ten large police vans out front. Instantly I felt myself becoming tense.
To my surprise and heartfelt delight, inside the store dozens of uniformed Philadelphia police officers were buying Christmas gifts for scores of kids and teens who, along with their parents, were truly overjoyed.
Laughing and smiling cops, jubilant running kids and truly grateful parents abounded and not a news camera or reporter in sight. Had I not witnessed the scene, not only would I not have known about it, I would not have believed it. But I did see it, and thank God I am a living witness that God’s light is still shining.
I needed to be encouraged on Monday, and I want to encourage us all to remember that God is present, and a constant source of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love in our lives, despite whatever tomorrow holds.
Amidst our rightful excitement about the Christmas Miracle, we should take time to be present and appreciate Advent.
It is a challenge to manage our expectations, our anticipation - and yes, our anxieties - related to Christmas every year, and this year is no different. Let’s endeavor to live in the moment, experience Advent as more than a countdown to Christmas, and reflect on all the good things God is doing, right now - even in the midst of darkness.
Yes, the Christ Child is coming and the darkness will not overtake the light; but we cannot lose sight of the fact that the Light of God is present and shining all around us, right now. Yes we can have hope for a better tomorrow, but we can be at peace today, because God has always been with us and will never leave us or forsake us.
Grace, Peace and a Blessed Advent to Us All,
John-Thomas (JT) Crockett
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