Advent Day 16

Advent Day 16

1 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: – Job 38:1 NIV

If you ever felt like more loved ones are lost around the holidays than any other time of year, you would be correct. Statistically, there are more deaths in December, particularly around Christmas and New Year’s, than at other times of the year, a phenomenon known as the “Christmas Effect,” with spikes for natural causes, heart-related deaths, and even traffic fatalities,
This means that despite a season that should bring us great joy, we will likely suffer and grieve at some point during Advent. If, like Job, that grief is compounded by other kinds of loss, we can find ourselves adrift in what feels like an unrelenting storm. This was the experience described in “The Storm and the Promise” in our devotional. But even if Jesus doesn’t calm the storm, we know that He is with us through it. And if we listen, we will hear Him speak to us out of the storm, as Job did. Pray for those who have lost friends and family this Advent, that God would be heard above the storm with words of comfort and hope.