Devotional Thought of the Day:

The crossing guard between my church and my son’s school mentioned it this week, as did a few other people – the Holy Days Blues have set in, and people are not finding relief.

As a pastor, I expect more people to come to my church during this time of year – and they are coming – not to the services – but to my office (or my cyber office – with needs of every kind, physical, financially, emotionally all impacting them spiritually.  Many of the answers are found – not in my

There is the financial pressure that seems to affect so many here in California.  A few have job lay-offs, there are marriage problems (often it is family pressure, but it can be lack of family that is the problem -as those they love have passed away in the last year….)It is the time crunch – how are we going to get everything done.., how are we going to be able to please all the people who have valid claims on our time, and those who have such claims and do not care whether they are valid – they just take them.  Similarly those who approach with needs – often exaggerate them, or even lie about them, and those in need who will not approach, the pride they have getting in the way of their receiving what they’ve given for so many years.

The weight is heavy, it is tiring, and I am by no means the only one to feel it…and I will admit to –

For in admitting that I feel the weight of this season, I am called to remember that the weight of life is why we have this blessed season of Advent. That the world is always in this tension of needing Christ’s return – the groaning that affects the entire earth (see Romans 8)  Yet even in that moment I think of His coming and not only pray for it, but pretty much beg for it, I realize His presence is here now, that He is the incarnate Christ, the one who has promised to never leave or forsake His people, nor ever leave us… He is here, His Spirit bringing comfort, peace, mercy, love…forgiveness, strength, and yeah – even in the midst of the broken world joy.

It is not just Christmas and New Years holidays, or even Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Epiphany Holy Days… for everyday is Holy, every day is one where we walk with Him….

And blue, while the color of advent. becomes the color of comfort, even while I struggle to see Christ, to realize I dwell in His presence… for that is the work of the Holy Spirit.