This is week two of our advent celebration. Each week, four prior to Christmas Eve, we gather to light a candle and consider the coming of our savior. It is a wonderful time to stop in the midst of the season and truly focus on the reason for all the wonderful merriment of Christmas. This week we light the candle of peace.
Sometimes I frustrate my husband. I know, it’s surprising, right? Okay, so those of you who know us can easily see how I may be a cause of his frustration from time to time. The other night my husband told me he loved me. The thing is, it was more like he sighed “I love you” after I had just been the aforementioned object of his frustration. It was clear he was saying “I love you” more for his own need be reminded than for mine. A “sigh” is a powerful statement.
“Sigh”. You can’t say it without actually doing it. Go ahead, try it…”Siiiiggghhhh”. See what I mean? A “sigh” usually follows the end of something. We often “sigh” just after realizing there is nothing we can do ourselves in a situation. Sometimes a “sigh” accompanies the finishing of a long or difficult task.
When rambunctious children are sleeping, we sigh. In the aftermath of holiday gatherings, when folks have gone home and the lights are turned down, we sigh. When we’re done holding a weight, or burden, we sigh. When someone tells us we are not going to have to do something we dreaded, we sigh. A “sigh” is an irrepressible expression of relief. A “sigh” is an end mark for when we relinquish our personal control.
A “sigh” is a quiet way of shouting “peace at last, peace at last!”
I think that on the night our savior, Jesus Christ, was born the whole world sighed! He was only a baby, but He was our redeemer. He brought us relief from the burden of sin. Through Him we would be reconciled with our Holy God. In Him we would find true rest. Through Him we would discover that God is in control and His grace and love abounds.
“…behold new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself, through Christ….God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, He has committed to us the Word of reconciliation…” (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
Say it with me now…”Sigh…”!
Tuesday With Teri 
I read this yesterday and have been thinking about it ever since. I’ve been sighing a lot lately….too much to do, not enough time, no one will cooperate with my agenda, etc. What I want, what I NEED is to get that tail-wagging excitement started in my dark little heart and hold my breath in anticipation of the biggest and best event that ever took place on this earth.
As always, thanks. 🙂
Any chance we could pull off coffee before that event?
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