December 23, 2016

O come, Desire of nations, bind in one the heart of all mankind;

Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, and be Thyself our King of peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

As King of all nations, we now anticipate the arrival of genuine peace. In fact, our hearts cry out for such peace each time we celebrate another season of Advent. Why? Because every year of our lives there are wars that hinder our peace…somewhere in the world, and even in our country, community, church, neighborhood, and among family and friends. Every division, whether large or small, is sad…simply sad. There is nothing we desire in times of strife more than peace. Jesus is the author and perfect example of reconciliation…in Him there is peace.

Christmas is coming and our hearts are growing in loving anticipation and joyful celebration. The season of Advent reminds us to simply wait…in due time, in God’s time, He sent His Son into the world in an unlikely way through unconventional means and in an unglamorous place. We wait with prayerful hope that once more the worshipful celebration of the coming of Jesus in a humble stable will draw us back home…into the arms of God. And, eventually back home into the arms of others, even those with whom today we are not in peace.

Rejoice, dear brothers and sisters in Christ…Jesus has come in a lowly manger and will come again in triumphant glory. Rejoice! Rejoice! Alleluia! Amen!

A Blessed and Merry Christmas to you and yours from all of us at Leadership Transformations and the Macchia household too!