Advent :: The "By and by"

If we are not careful we as Christians can get so caught up in the “by and by” that we disconnect from the social challenges of today. The center of our faith is all about “transformation,” not just personally but also socially. We pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This is the Christian hope that motivates us to strive for social transformation as well as our own personal transformation.Christian hope is a very compelling and necessary force, both for us personally as well as for the whole of the human family. More than we realize, what we do now is determined by what we expect in the future. Instilled in the very nature of our personality, we were created by God to hope.As a parent, I was motivated by the hope that my children would enjoy a better quality of life. As parents, we longed, hoped for a bright future for our children’s children. We not only believed for ourselves but for the “family.”As a member of the human race, I understand that Christ came to the earth for “all people.” As I prepare for Christmas I must remember that Christ came not only for me but for “all people.” I compelled to pray for our social structures to be transformed. The Lord’s pray “on earth as it is in heaven,” takes on a fresh meaning.It is the “Star of Bethlehem” that pierces the darkness so that we may see the needs of our fellow man. We must open our eyes to all humanity and work for social structures that will express the love of the child born in a manger.