By Dunford Cole
Pastor of Camp Ground / Rutledge Methodist Church

If any of you have kids and taken road trips, there is no doubt you have heard the question, “Are we there yet?” Children hate riding and being stuck in a car. I know ours did. They were eager to get there and to get back.

Some of us are just as eager to get beyond Christmas, put the tree up, and take all the decorations down, rushing to get it over with and be done with it! That is sad when you think about it. Christmas is much, much more than the hustle and bustle.

The season of Advent has been all about enjoying the moment with a great build-up! The last few weeks of Advent have been an adventurous season. We have heard the prophets speak of His coming, we have journeyed with John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness, and we have seen the holy family make their way to Bethlehem, but we are not there yet. The best is yet to come.

The feast day of Christmas is getting closer but we have one more exciting Sunday of Advent left. No, we are not there yet! We recognize the love of God is coming.

As we near the nativity of our Lord, we rejoice and give thanks that only God could give us this miracle. We have been given a beautiful gift. God manifested himself in the flesh here on earth. God entered into our world with love and mercy, offering a love that can save the vilest person, love that goes far beyond our expiation.

I pray you have seen the light shining in the darkness of this wonderful season and understand that God loves you! I pray you will have the opportunity to worship on Christmas Eve Night as we await the Messiah, Christ the Lord.