Claude Farah is a Habitat for Humanity beneficiary living in Rayak, Zahle, Lebanon. Read her Advent reflection below:
After 16 years of marriage and moving about — sometimes renting and sometimes not — I remember the endless agonies of having to uproot our children again and again. In those circumstances, we found ourselves greatly burdened and living in the depths of despair and sadness.
During this Advent season, however, we are reminded that light has overcome darkness and hope has defeated anguish. Our burdens can be lifted. My family experienced that so clearly when others reached out to help us so we could move into our house that Habitat for Humanity helped to make a reality. We now have a stable place to call home.
As people around the globe prepare for Christmas, we delight in remembering that on the night our Savior was born, the fate of the world was changed.Jesus provides a bridge of reconciliation and offers intercession to bring us closer to God. He offers us peace in the most difficult times.
Through the love of Christ alive in us, we find opportunities to lighten the load of others. Habitat reminds us that everyone has something to give. During this Advent season, may we focus on the gifts of kindness, compassion and generosity that we can offer.
May we avoid getting caught up in distractions and the things that pull us away from the presence of God. Instead, may we focus on Jesus. Let Christmas not be a memory of one night, but a reminder of our eternity with the God who loves us unconditionally. May we remember each day that we are blessed to be a blessing.
Prayer
Father, thank You for Christmas, thank You for Jesus, and thank You for all you have given to us. I thank You that You heard our cry and provided me and my family shelter during many difficult years of living here and there. Thank You for continually offering us rest and peace when we feel burdened. Bless all those who seek to ease the struggles of those who are suffering. Amen.
