Advent Encouragement

Our friends of almost fifty years, the Neumans, publish an occasional newsletter titled, “An Encouraging Word.” Bob and Judy include snippets from life experience, anecdotes about their animals, fun stuff from vacations, a groan-inducing pun, and an item of Pastor Bob’s wry humor. One may find almost anything in “The Encouraging Word” that will urge readers to keep looking up and moving forward. The publication lives up to the masthead.

The writer of the Hebrew Letter reminds us to do the same, with a bit of added intensity. “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.” (3:13) Quitting is too final to allow others to consider it an option. So, encourage one another!

I keep two lists at the Advent Season, a list of gifts to present, and a list of people who will need encouragement during the holidays. The gift-giving list will be discarded today. Items have been crossed off, one package has been mailed, and only a few more boxes will be wrapped this evening. The second list has been developing all year. The names of people who have buried a spouse (Ruth buried Chet, her husband of sixty-three years.), a parent, a sibling or child are on the list. Our family will open gifts with eight delightful shrieking grandchildren, our children, and their spouses while others ache because of an estranged child, a once promising son or daughter is in prison, or one who has passed away. While the aromas of scented candles warmly sweeten the atmosphere for some, the icy reality of betrayal and divorce will undo the efforts of family and friends pretending everything is alright. Trying to distract loved ones from painful memories, thoughts of despair, and anger can be daunting. Others on my list are wrestling with cancers, unemployment, or fears too numerous to begin mentioning.

One of the most difficult dimensions of “sin’s deceitfulness” may be the feeling of, “I am alone!” A telephone call, a note, a personal invitation to “sit with us” at the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service can help. Another of “sin’s deceitful” ploys includes a conviction that, “I must be a really bad person for this to happen to me,” or, “It is all my fault!” It is nearly impossible to avoid that feeling when the loss is great. But, encouraging people are interested enough to listen, and, when the time is right, to speak compassionately, patiently, wisely. The calls don’t have to be long and the notes may be simple. Acts of kindness may not cost anything but time, time in prayerful preparation and time spent with those in distress. But time spent strategically is powerfully effective.

My second list will be kept handy all year. The work of encouragement must go on indefinitely. Others will always need help crossing the finish line. I will too! During this Advent Season, let us spur one another on, especially those who need the bit of extra encouragement.