Optimist Roundtable

By Martha Sykes

In the season of advent, which began on this past Sunday, we are called to be people of hope. Advent is the time of waiting, a time for us to prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus, for the coming of Christmas. It is a season for prayer and reflection for each of us to renew our hearts and our relationship with Jesus Christ.

On the church calendar, this week represents the new liturgical year. At this time of our lives, in the midst of a pandemic that has uprooted our lives and questioned our faith, we are reminded to find hope, love, peace, and joy as we light our advent candles at church. It also is a reminder that we are always called to prepare our hearts for the second coming of Jesus, the fulfillment of God‘s promise as

He will bring justice and peace to this earth. As it is written in Luke 3, verses 4 through 6, “ Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his path. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

May we all be vigilant and excited to welcome the celebration of Jesus’ s birth once again. As we decorate, go shopping, bake our cookies, or wrap our presents, our hope is that we can continue to love and serve others with the same unconditional and precious love that God has given to us through His Son Jesus.

Last year at this time, some of our churches were closed due to the pandemic, so this year let us be thankful that so far we can still gather and worship.