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Reflection

Growing up as a child in Cobble Hill, I was lucky to be able to visit the seaside on numerous occasions. My folks would take my sister and myself to have fish and chips in Cowichan Bay, and during the summertime we would build sandcastles. Of course, we had to make sure we had the right kind of sand that you could build the castle, and in Cowichan Bay that can be a challenge. Inevitably there would always be a bit of a turret missing where the sand hadn't compacted properly, thus leading to disappointment that it wasn't perfect.

At times our lives can be like a sandcastle, we start off with good intentions, but in time it begins to crumble, or perhaps it doesn't come out as perfect as envisioned. As children, we could knock the sandcastle down and begin again, but God doesn't work that way. God created us and loves us, just as we are. At times we might cut corners or not pay attention to detail, and so things can come tumbling down around us, forgetting that God works in and through us.

Advent is a time to begin again, to prepare to meet Jesus as that vulnerable baby in the manger. When we look on Jesus, we remember our own vulnerability, and that no matter what we have done or failed to do, we are always loved by God.

Scripture

But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:6-10

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Worship And Prayer
Celebrating Advent and Christmas