Building One Another

COMFORT AND JOY Vol 9 No 40

December 7, 2010

Dear Friend,

I was stuck following a school bus early this morning.  You know how I was feeling because I have used the word, “stuck!”

As we drove slowly through the neighborhoods it dawned on me that the school bus looked like a school bus!

With all of the changes in our lives, in our phones, computers, televisions and in life in general,

I found it suddenly remarkably comforting to witness something that had not changed.

I remembered warmly the symbol of the school bus over my entire life and anticipated the hope residing in its precious cargo of children.  It felt like seeing an old friend, a safe place, a place of hope, a place of comfort and of joy.

In these Advent days leading up to the celebration of the birth of Jesus, it is also a wonderful time of remembering the past and anticipating the future of our Lord, the ultimate comfort and joy.  Countless Christmas carols remind us of the coming of the Lord who loves us, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”

At the same time other carols point us to the future, “Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:  God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Allow the spirit of the season to inspire you to be aware of the presence of our Lord, to remember his coming with gratitude and to anticipate his blessings with joy.

“O God our help in ages past our hope for years to come.”

Oh, and the next time you see a school bus – rejoice!

With joy - E. Stanley Ott

Copyright 2010 E. Stanley Ott