Hear The Word of the Lord

Hear the word of the Lord.

I spoke these words several times this past Wednesday as I helped lead our mid-week Advent service called, “A Blue Christmas.” It’s a service we offer every Advent that is designed for those who are walking through grief and pain.

For many of us, this season has an undercurrent of sadness carrying us along. Many people are faced with waking up this Christmas morning for the first time without a loved one next to them. For many of us there will be an empty spot around the Christmas tree this year. Or perhaps you are preparing, knowing that this may very well be your last Christmas this side of eternity.  

To those gathered this past Wednesday the words, Hear the word of the Lord, were preached over them. And then a promise from the Holy Scriptures was proclaimed to them.

One of my lines from the liturgy came from John 11:25,

Hear the word of the Lord: “I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”

As I read those words standing before my congregation, knowing their individual pain and grief and loss during this Advent season, and at the same time reflecting on my own grief and loss in this Advent season, my eyes welled up with tears and my heart seemed to break inside my chest.

Yes, there was a sting of sadness to it all. But more shockingly, I was surprised by the hope I felt settle into my broken heart and tear-filled eyes as I read those words.

Hear the word of the Lord: “I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”

Friends, in this Advent season may you hear the word of the Lord.

Grace and peace ‘til we rise in glory.