The first week of Advent and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a wonderful week to reflect on the hope of Christ, our saviour who was here, is here with us now through his Holy Spirit, and who will someday, hopefully soon, be with us in the flesh again.
Whom have we ever had but you? Who came to be alone with us Who came to sit and weep with us In the winter after Christmas.
Everyone tells me to be glad Everyone tells me I should sing, Says ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace.
I don’t want to wear a mask But I’ll wear one for my friend His lungs are bad, and if he Gets the virus he will die.
We have hope! Even though This year has been hard. For good things can come When we least expect them.
We have faith that this won’t last That this sickness will end In glory, not in death, but We know sometimes they’re the same.
In the group home they are waiting...
In Bekoji, Ethiopia, a place that housed tools of war is becoming a place that will offer supports which will nourish and grow the community. This is all because its members now rightly believe that their children with disabilities are image-bearers of God. That's a light I can live in.
Isaiah presents a vision of the glory of the Lord being revealed when there are no barriers; the valleys have been lifted, the mountains have been made low and the planes are smooth; I could go anywhere and do anything regardless of my wheelchair.
Does your church work to show your community that people with disabilities are truly welcomed and embraced? If not, what good is your faith? Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead, but faith that is accompanied by action is a beautiful offering of love toward God and other people."
