Finding Hope in Advent

I went to church yesterday feeling down and discouraged. I wasn't able to get the thoughts of Sandy Hook Elementary out of my head. Those babies who were just sitting in school doing what they were supposed to be doing. The adults that tried to protect them. Obviously, this situation has affected Judd and I because we have a baby about to go to Kindergarten. A baby that is only a year younger than those children. I haven't been able to look at her over the past few days without wondering what I would do without her - I can't imagine a world without her. There are parents who are realizing a world without their baby.

We went to the 9:35 Alive service yesterday. It is our church's contemporary service. We flip flop between the contemporary service and the traditional service. The contemporary service is in the Fellowship Hall and the church's band performs songs. But, our minister preaches the sermon, offering is taken, etc.

The band is really good. Every Sunday that we attend that service, I'm always impressed with their performance. Yesterday they performed a Lessons and Carols service - this was the first year they attempted this.

They started the service with "Do You Hear What I Hear?", but it was to the tune of "Bittersweet Symphony". It was beautiful. I sat there listening to the words, and reading them on the big screens on either side of the stage. Then, these words appear:

A child, a child, sleeping in the night
He will bring us goodness and light
He will bring us goodness and light

I've heard this song many time before. It is one of my favorites. I've sung the words. But, for some reason yesterday morning, it hit me. I lost control of my emotions and just sat there with tears streaming down my face. (Judd was thoroughly confused) That's it - so simple! That's the hope we feel during Advent. I've always known this, but for the first time, I really understood and felt the hope.

The world has so much darkness and pain. Bad things happen everyday. It is very easy to get discouraged. But, this newborn baby boy brings us the hope that we need. He brings goodness and light. He is the answer.

It was a powerful moment for me - one that I won't soon forget. During this advent season, I hope you have a moment like this. One that brings you back to why we celebrate this magical time of year.