A Pastoral Word. . . Recreated Joy
Pastor Kevin Freeman
December 5, 2024
In August of 2023, Will and Rebecca, a young couple in England, joyfully said their marriage vows to each other on their wedding day, joined by about sixty relatives and close friends. Not every guest could attend, however. Rebecca’s ninety-one-year-old grandmother, Peggy, was unable to attend. Peggy suffers from the dreaded disease Alzheimer's, which leaves her in a care facility far away. Her memory loss and care needs were simply too great to allow her to travel such a distance for the wedding.
So, the newlywed couple decided to take the wedding to Peggy. They traveled 180 miles to recreate their wedding day at the care facility. They used the same wedding dress, tuxedo, and decorations, as they planned the exact same elements in detail. Peggy loved the event! Despite her memory loss, she recognized the couple and was overjoyed. The staff at the care facility also gave support to make the event special.
Advent is a time to recreate another joyous event. We observe Advent, recognizing the importance of remembering the incarnation, the arrival of the Christ child as a baby. Because we are impacted by sin in a fallen world, we all have memory issues. We are prone to forget even the most vital aspects of our faith. Advent is a time of preparation. We ready our hearts and focus our minds on God’s love for us.
Such a task calls us to remember why the coming of Christ matters. In the Bible, we can find many examples of the need to remember or be reminded of certain truths. Here are just a few:
“Although you are fully aware of this, I want to remind you…” – Jude 5
“I have written you a bold reminder on some points…” – Romans 15:15
“I have not written you because you lack knowledge, but because you have it…” – 1 John 2:21
“[Timothy] will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus…” – 1 Corinthians 4:17
“Remind the believers of these things…” – 2 Timothy 2:14
“Remember the early days that you were in the light…” – Hebrews 10:32
During Advent, we help ourselves to remember God’s gift by using some of the exact same elements each year. We sing familiar Christmas songs, read well-known Scriptures, and light candles according to a set pattern. We do these things not because of an entrenched tradition but because we are helping one another remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus, who rescued humanity from sin. We recreate the wonder and joy of His presence among us. We remember Emmanuel, God with us.
May these familiar activities recreate in you a heart that is delighted by the birth of Jesus Christ.
Your Partner in Ministry,
Kevin Freeman
So, the newlywed couple decided to take the wedding to Peggy. They traveled 180 miles to recreate their wedding day at the care facility. They used the same wedding dress, tuxedo, and decorations, as they planned the exact same elements in detail. Peggy loved the event! Despite her memory loss, she recognized the couple and was overjoyed. The staff at the care facility also gave support to make the event special.
Advent is a time to recreate another joyous event. We observe Advent, recognizing the importance of remembering the incarnation, the arrival of the Christ child as a baby. Because we are impacted by sin in a fallen world, we all have memory issues. We are prone to forget even the most vital aspects of our faith. Advent is a time of preparation. We ready our hearts and focus our minds on God’s love for us.
Such a task calls us to remember why the coming of Christ matters. In the Bible, we can find many examples of the need to remember or be reminded of certain truths. Here are just a few:
“Although you are fully aware of this, I want to remind you…” – Jude 5
“I have written you a bold reminder on some points…” – Romans 15:15
“I have not written you because you lack knowledge, but because you have it…” – 1 John 2:21
“[Timothy] will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus…” – 1 Corinthians 4:17
“Remind the believers of these things…” – 2 Timothy 2:14
“Remember the early days that you were in the light…” – Hebrews 10:32
During Advent, we help ourselves to remember God’s gift by using some of the exact same elements each year. We sing familiar Christmas songs, read well-known Scriptures, and light candles according to a set pattern. We do these things not because of an entrenched tradition but because we are helping one another remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus, who rescued humanity from sin. We recreate the wonder and joy of His presence among us. We remember Emmanuel, God with us.
May these familiar activities recreate in you a heart that is delighted by the birth of Jesus Christ.
Your Partner in Ministry,
Kevin Freeman
Source: https://www.theepochtimes.com/bright/couple-recreates-wedding-ceremony-at-care-home-for-grandmom-with-alzheimers-she-was-overjoyed-5493180?utm
Image Credit: SWNS
Image Credit: SWNS
Posted in A Pastoral Word
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