Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. -  I Thessalonians 5:18
 
How do you give thanks and say that you are blessed when death steals your infant child from you?  That is not an easy thing for the average person to do. Some years ago, I had to console a family who had lost their infant child.  In consoling the parents of that child, I told them not to think that they were dealt a bad hand.  God had given them a gift for a short while.

They had the opportunity to become acquainted with a little angel, God's little angel.  He had loaned her to them for a little while.  That was their blessing from God.  I told them to give thanks to God and to live with the good memory of an angel who had graced their home for a while.

In the above text, Saint Paul tells us to, "Give thanks in all circumstances."  One may say, in these times things are so difficult; there is nothing for which to give thanks.  Well, life itself is sufficient reason to give thanks to God.

There are people with far less than we, and they give thanks to God continually.  An old woman had lost everything she owned in a natural disaster.  To top it off, she had no place to live in and did not know where the next meal would come from.  She was in a tough situation.  Yet, she gave thanks to the Lord.

That old woman was wise.  She acknowledged that God had been gracious to her.  She did not have much, but she had her life.  She had her health.  She had people around her and she could look forward to another day.

At Advent we wait in anticipation and celebrate the greatest gift given to human kind.  God, in his mercy, sent his son into the world.  He came to redeem us and show us a way back to God.

Some people cannot find room in their hearts to give thanks because they hold on to the negative.  Yes, things are difficult.  Nonetheless, we should open our eyes and embrace the good, which is in abundance around us.

Granted, as we come to the end of the year, some people are experiencing all kinds of dilemmas.  There are some who may not make it to the end of the year.  Others might not see next Christmas. But that is not important.  What is important is that we acknowledge God's grace in our lives this very moment, today.

Advent is a joyful time.   It is a time of hope and expectation.  Therefore, rejoice.  God in Christ has given us eternal life.  That is more important than the material things which we can acquire and again lose.

The gift that God has given to us in Christ cannot be taken away.  The world can deprive us of many things, even our lives, but salvation is ours to keep.  Only God can take that away.

Therefore, give thanks.  We have an eternal gift.  It is a gift for life. The elements, governments and people may destroy or take away our material things, which we will leave here after we pass from this life; only God can take away our joy.

Let us give thanks and praise to the God of creation.  No one, no, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.  Therefore, let us rejoice, even though we might be doing poorly, physically or financially.  Give thanks in all circumstances.  God is on our side.  That is a good reason to give thanks.  

Amen.
 
Rev. Samuel M. Boodle, pastor, The Lutheran Church of Nassau; P. O. Box N 4794, Nassau, Bahamas;  phone: 323-4107 ; e-mail: lutheranchurch@coralwave.com; website: www.nassaulutheranchurch.org.

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