Happy Advent

This year it turns out that my birthday falls on Sunday. Which also means that it's the first day of Advent - celebrating the "coming" or "arrival" during the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. No doubt I had a great birthday. Good food, birthday cake, extra love from the family, cards and gifts... But listening to the sermon at church today put everything in perspective. Grace and I really enjoy listening to Pastor Steve speak. He has a passion for preaching the gospel. He also has an incredible testimony. Four years ago he was in a near-fatal motorcycle accident. As a result, he became a quadriplegic confined to a wheelchair. Two years later he returned to preaching - walking up to the pulpit on his own two feet. A living miracle. Today he began a series on Advent from Isaiah chapters 6 through 9. It's hard to keep my thoughts short and simple, but I was most struck by one word from Isaiah 9:1 nevertheless. Despite darkness and distress (even when we are rebellious and make foolish decisions) there is a promise of light. Understanding the context of this prophecy highlights the love and mercy that is undeserved. There must have been an enormous longing and anticipation for a Savior. How much more longing and anticipation should there be for the Savior's second coming? Wait. Trust. Hope. As I say hello to a new year what better way to celebrate then to remember this promise:

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.