HOPE Hope through sight: Do you see what God sees? What is a fond Christmas memory you have? One of my favorite Christmas memories revolves around Christmas lights. Lights from putting up the Christmas tree and driving around looking at the lights on neighbors’ homes, which Brian and I continue to share with our kiddos. Our eyes help us to fully enjoy these times together. What do we see that is different at this time of year? Christmastime means that God becomes fully human, now with senses. He chose to come down and experience humanity including all the sights, sounds, tastes, feels, and smells as well. He came to redeem us and provide hope for our future; in the only way we could be saved. He did not wait for us; He came to us. Everything became different that fateful night all of His senses awoke. The Christmas story reminds us that God now sees what we see, and what we don’t see. Jesus met a Samaritan woman at a well and He saw a person that needed understanding, forgiveness, and grace not judgment and criticism. What does God see when God looks at our world? And do we see what God sees? As we begin this Advent season, may we try to see family, friends, others, places, and creation from our Savior's view Please join in a moment of prayer: Holy One, You call us to wake from sleep, to become aware to our surroundings. The dawn of a new time of preparation is upon us. Forgive us when sleepiness takes its toll, when our discussions become battles, when our judgment and self-judgement outweigh our faith. Let us put on the light of Christ and live as You have called us in respect, in mutual dialogue, and in healthy living. Help us so that everything we do reflects Christ’s light.
