The theme for today is: Advent 1.0

Advent. A simple word with a simple meaning. It means ‘coming.’ We celebrate the coming of our Saviour. The Saviour born in Bethlehem. The Saviour incarnate. The Saviour of the world. Advent. A time of rejoicing. A time of celebration. But still a time of waiting. A time of longing. A time of expectation.

We live in a world of brokenness, suffering, sickness, sorrow, sin, pain and death. Our trials and Zach’s trials make us long for another advent. Another coming. Jesus’ second coming. His final coming. All we want for Christmas is “the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

Advent. Coming. A coming we don’t wait for in fear. A coming we wait for in hope. Jesus will come. Again. Jesus will prevail. Again. Jesus will redeem. Again. Jesus will save. Again. That’s a promise. A promise that will be kept. A promise that will be fulfilled. “In keeping with his promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). We are looking forward to the final advent. The final coming.

Today’s Updates:

Lord willing, Zach will attend his church in person tomorrow morning for the first time since he was hospitalized in March! Please join us in thanking God for this step in Zach’s recovery and rehab. Pray that all will go well with transportation to church and with the church service. Pray that Zach will feel safe and relaxed throughout the outing. Pray also that Zach will enjoy his time at church and benefit from it.

Zach is still generally refusing food, drink, and getting his teeth brushed. He ate quite a bit at lunch on Sunday, and has had a few scattered snacks throughout the week, but will usually resist eating anything. Please continue to lift Zach up in prayer and ask that he will enjoy eating again and begin to eat more regularly soon. Pray also that he will respond calmly to his care team and his regular routines.

Zach is now receiving a medication to help him regulate his mood. His care team is hoping that this medication will help him to eat and drink more regularly and to feel safer around his care team as it takes effect in the coming weeks. Please pray that this medication will be effective in helping Zach to feel more regulated and ready for each day’s events.

Zach has been working hard in his therapies this week. In speech therapy, Zach is working on having conversations using his new communication device. He can use the eye tracking feature to look at certain phrases like “hey,” or “how’s it going,” or “doing good.” Zach is still figuring out how to use his eye tracking device properly and which phrases to use in conversation. Please pray that he will be able to communicate more clearly as he becomes more familiar with his device.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Please continue to pray for Zach. Pray that God will bless his recovery and treatments. Pray that Zach will find joy in each day and will rest in God’s peace at all times. Pray also that God will continue to grant Zach the strength that he needs to face each day and to tackle all of his therapies. Have a blessed Sunday.

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Come, Lord Jesus! Maranatha!

pray the Spirit and the Bride.

Come upon the clouds of heaven

with your angels at your side.

Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!

Evermore with us abide.

(Canadian Reformed Book of Praise, Hymn 67:1)

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

“Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”

So shall it be! Amen.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

(Revelation 1:4-8)