The Week before Christmas 2012
For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness
and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,
who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
Colossians 1:13
If there has ever been a week in my time here on this earth that made me
filled with hope and expectancy for Christ, it was THIS week.
The week before Christmas 2012.
As the account of the tragedy unfolded regarding the shooting
In Newtown, Connecticut, I became increasingly thankful for Christmas.
Such darkness. Such sadness. Such despair. So many unanswered questions.
But for the believer in Christ, are they really unanswered questions?
I don’t think so.
There is a reason and there is an answer.
The world is not as it should be and there is evil and darkness all around: the reason.
Christ: the answer.
For me, I drove my boys to school this week with a little more thankfulness in my heart
for the opportunity. I saw it as a gift that I might not get at 3:30 later in the afternoon.
When we prayed together before bed, I said aloud, “Thank you Lord that this child is yours. Thank you that You gave him to me to care for while on this earth. If his time on earth is done tomorrow, thank You that he will be in Your loving arms.”
We talked about “what if” scenarios.
Now my boys are 20, 14, and 12 and they were mature enough for this discussion to not transfer fear into their hearts.
We discussed courage, bravery, and how would the Lord call them to react as His ambassador on this earth and in their school to protect themselves and others around them.
The week before Christmas 2012.
In past years, the discussions around our Sunday night Christmas dinners had a different tone.
However, this week…..a lot of darkness and evil invaded them.
But, Christmas.
See….Christmas changes everything.
Because of Christmas, this story is not over.
Darkness does not win.
The thought of evil in our children’s school is like the grass that withers away….here today and gone tomorrow when Christ returns to take us home.
Because of Christmas, there is hope amidst the darkness.
Let’s Pray God’s Word:
Dear heavenly Father, thank YOU that you have rescued our hearts from the kingdom of darkness. We know that there are many around us who are perishing. Use us as instruments of grace, truth, and love.
Show us who You desire to transfer into the Kingdom of Your dear Son as we see so much darkness around us. It is not Your will for anyone to perish.
Protect our children from the darkness.
Hide them in the shadow of Your wings.
Send Your people to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the mommies and daddies and sisters and brothers in Newtown.
Because of Christmas, help them see light and don’t let their thoughts be overpowered by the darkness.
Your will is freedom and forgiveness of sins.
Lord, use our children as beacons of light and hope in their schools.
Give them courage to live out Christmas every day of the year.
Thank You for Christmas.
Thank you for Hope.
Thank You for Joy.
And thank You for rescuing me.
Amen.
~Terrie Chevaillier
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