The theme for today is: Advent 3.0

What are you waiting for? Christmas? It’s Advent season and Jesus has come. It’s Advent season and Jesus will come again. Joy to the world! May this Advent lead us to spiritual reflection, recognition, recalibration, and reorientation.

Reflection

Advent should cause us to reflect. To reflect on the miraculous nature of Jesus’ humble birth. To reflect on our most important need. The need for a Saviour. The need for Jesus. The need for salvation. Reflection leads to tears. Tears that lead to lament and tears that lead to joy. Reflection takes us to the reality of who we really are and who Jesus really is. Reflection leads to recognition.

Recognition

Advent reminds us of our low estate (Psalm 139:23). We look in the mirror of God’s word and recognize ourselves as needy sinners. We recognize ourselves as lost sinners. We recognize ourselves as redeemed sinners. Sinners in need of sanctification. So, we recognize the need to recalibrate.

Recalibration

What better time to recalibrate our spiritual lives than Advent. Recalibration is to change how we think or what we do about things. To make adjustments to our spiritual settings. Not just a few tweaks. Advent calls for a major overhaul. Advent calls for a complete recalibration. Advent calls for repentance. Repentance leads to reorientation.

Reorientation

Repentance means to turn around. To reorient ourselves in the right direction. To reorient ourselves back on the right path. The narrow path. The narrow path marked out for us. The narrow path that leads to Jesus. The path that God will make straight to reorient us. The path that God will make straight to realign our thoughts, words, desires and actions toward Him. The path that we can run on with perseverance by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit that leads us to reflection, recognition, recalibration, and reorientation.

It’s Advent season. What are you waiting for?

Today’s Updates:

Zach had a better week this week again. He has eaten all of his meals since Sunday, and seems to be enjoying eating again. Zach hasn’t needed to receive any tube feed this whole week! It can still be a challenge to get Zach to drink at his meals and to brush his teeth. Sometimes, it seems that Zach has trouble coordinating and controlling his mouth movements (opening his mouth for food, swallowing, etc). His speech language pathologist says that these are symptoms of apraxia caused by his brain injury. Please pray that Zach will continue to enjoy his food and drinks going forward. Please also join us in thanking God that Zach is feeling calm and capable of eating and drinking again!

Zach has generally been calm when receiving care this week, which we are very thankful for. He became quite agitated a few times this week when he asked to go into his wheelchair but then didn’t want to leave his room, and instead wanted to go back to bed right away. Please pray that Zach will be able to understand his needs and communicate them clearly so that he will feel safe and calm instead of agitated or fearful.

Zach has been working hard in his therapies this week, although he had a few sessions where he was too tired to interact with his therapists. Please pray that Zach’s treatments will be effective at improving his strength, coordination, and especially his communication. Zach had an orthotics consultation on Tuesday to assess his wrist. They proposed a couple of options for wrist splints to prevent further contracture. Please pray that God will bless these treatments for Zach’s wrist and that he will be able to use his left hand as much as possible.

Zach has really enjoyed listening to music this week, especially piano and guitar. Some  members of his care team will occasionally sing and play the guitar with Zach – what a blessing! Zach has also regularly requested to go to the pianos around the hospital, and today he clearly whispered the word “piano” to ask Megan to play the piano. Please pray that God will enable Zach to say more words and communicate more!

Thank you for your continued prayers for Zach. Please pray for strength and comfort for Zach. Pray that he will have the energy that he needs for his therapies and that he will be motivated to work hard at all his daily tasks. Please also pray that he will feel God’s nearness and love at all times. Have a blessed Sunday and a merry Christmas.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

”Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

(Luke 2:25-32)