With the news of the Connecticut school shooting still fresh in our minds, today's devotion probably hit with greater impact than it might have otherwise done had that horrific event not occurred. The one line that reads: "Each Advent I mark the anniversary of my mother’s death. She was cut off in her 56th year in a bus accident in Israel" certainly hit me in a new (albeit a "good") place. But I was also able to gather some optimistic pondering while reading through it. I was really able to relate to Piper' s reminiscing of his mother' s passing when she was just in her 50' s. My own father passed at age 50 following a battle with cancer brought on by many personal demons, including losing his own mother much, much earlier in his own life. I often wonder if her passing and his destructive decisions were connected. I can only speculate, but if I were to have to bet on it, I would say it' s true. I've often find myself reflecting on what could have been in our relationship had he not been lost in his own demons while breathing and while battling. But the reality is, I can' t change anything that has happened. I can only embrace today and firmly believe that I can be part of a better tomorrow while working to make that happen. Here, I think of my wife and three young daughters. God has blessed me with this wonderful family. One that I have always dreamed of having (okay, I will admit I wanted there to be a boy in this mix, but I somehow knew I would have only girls). So, while the picture does't look exactly as I had envisioned, the goal is the same: to care for my bride and children with a loving heart, doing everything within my power to make sure they are safe and provided for in all aspects of their lives. Interestingly, Christ has the same ambition for His bride (the church) and each of His children (you and I):

Christmas. What is it but this: I came that they might have life. Marion Newstrum, Ruth Piper, and you and I— that we might have Life, now and forever. Make your Now the richer and deeper this Christmas by drinking at the fountain of Forever. It is so near.