I was driving home from Durango yesterday, running errands, and getting a little start on Christmas.
I am a late starter this year. Normally, I’ve done all my shopping, and gift preparations, by Thanksgiving.
I tend to be an over-achiever; but, not this year.
I flipped on a Christmas-music-playing radio station to do a little sing-a-long, while nobody could hear the flat and sharp notes that proceed from my mouth, no matter how hard I try…
From Jingle Bells to I’ll Be Home for Christmas, the crooning put me in a nostalgic mood.
I sat up a little straighter, and paid a little more attention, when O Holy Night sounded in the speakers.
I heard the words a little differently this year.
Perhaps because I’m winding down my study on HOPE.
It’s been a whole year of study.
And those of you who are loyal to read each week have probably grown weary of my ramblings.
But pay attention, one last time – these words – chills ran up and down my spine:
Christmas.
Jesus.
The Word-Made-Flesh.
The Light of the World, in whom there was no darkness.
The Good Shepherd.
Creator of the Universe.
Yes, the world should rejoice…and, we should fall on our knees.
That would be an appropriate response to God, The Thrill of Hope.
We have a Savior.
A bridge into eternity.
A HEAVENLY HOPE.
A JOYOUS TOMORROW.
Many of us need to be reminded of that during the holiday season.
What a way to close out a year of hope-learning.
And as I do, I’d like to just leave you with a few Haiku to reflect on over the Holy-day Season.
These are just a few written by women from the retreat in Cyprus, who summarized HOPE for me as we wound down our lovely time together. What a nice way to reflect on Jesus, review the past year, and
