“We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of everyone of you for another is increasing. … To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfill by his power every good resolve and work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. …But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in truth. For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. …Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word. … But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. …. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. … Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with all of You.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 11-12, 2:13-14, 16-17, 3:3, 5, 16
In the Advent season as we celebrate the Lord’s Coming by remembering His birth we also look ahead to His return, His Coming Again. We live in two times simultaneously, both cause us to evaluate our personal condition. Are we able to be in God’s presence? Do we live our lives in a convincing manner, so others would follow us to the Lord? Is my faith growing abundantly, fueled by God’s grace? Am I, are you at peace at all times in all ways? Living in and with the peace of Christ gives us joy. Covered and filled with God’s joy we are able to love God and others with an overwhelming way. Rejoice and celebrate joyfully, allow the spirit of God to overflow out of you into and on to others. Christ has come, Christ is here and Christ will come again! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!