Hello there. Whether you have come here with intention or by happenstance, welcome. There is always a place for you here. I believe with my whole heart that we are in this together. And I am for you, love. Always for you.
This is a Christmas story of hope for each of us, for all of us – for every day of every year.
What came into existence was Life,
and the Life was Light to live by.
The Life-Light blazed out of the darkness;
the darkness couldn’t put it out. (John 1:4-5 MSG)
The angels came first to shepherds—common folk, not considered worthy of big news. They came first to shepherds who were fighting sleep to protect their flocks from predators that delighted in the darkness. The shepherds were waiting for light’s arrival. The angels came to the lowly ones who knew each sheep by the curl of its wool or the markings on its face or the sound of its bleat. The angels came first to the shepherds to announce the birth of a liberator, a savior, a king. The greatest event of all time was first announced in the smallest of ways to those who were simply awake, believing light would most certainly come.
He didn’t come to a king.
He didn’t come to a government leader. He didn’t come to a church.
He didn’t come to a crowd.
He came while the world was sleeping. And He came to those who were keeping watch in the darkness, expectant of the light.
The angels say He came for everyone. All people. The whole world. And they said that was exceptionally good news.
And the first words they said were this:
Don’t be afraid.
In Ukraine, light looks like Anastasia and the other Orphan Outreach staff who stand in the gap for the young adults in the Aging Out Program. She shares with you what she shares with those in her care in the midst of war:
Don’t be afraid to trust God. Sometimes you think you can’t control everything, and you’re absolutely right, because He’s the only one in control. Sometimes it’s hard, but again, please just trust. Don’t be afraid of difficulties, don’t be afraid of being vulnerable or weak, don’t be afraid to be happy when everyone else thinks it’s inappropriate, don’t be afraid to live today and not to wait for better days. Do not be afraid to encourage others with your words, don’t be afraid to be yourself—that’s why you’re so unique. Let your own time be a gift to another.
Don’t be afraid to take time and be alone if you need to, don’t be afraid to cry, don’t be afraid to talk about what hurts, don’t be afraid to be misunderstood. And most importantly, never give up hope.
Don’t be afraid to believe. Don’t be afraid to receive. Don’t be afraid to celebrate the miracles of the small ways. Don’t be afraid of the light that’s breaking through the darkness. Jesus has come. And He is the light of the world. For today. And for always.
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the saving and redeeming love of Jesus Christ, the light of the world. May I be ever watchful of all the ways You reveal Your love. Help me to never be afraid to share that love with others, to always be ready to care for the orphaned and vulnerable.
If you’d like a copy of the Orphan Outreach Advent Guide, it’s absolutely free – and you can download it today here.