The Advent of Christ brings us meaningful living – and celebration.

More than ever before do we mortals ask about a meaningful life.

If you watch the TV and surf the internet it seems that many try to find meaning in living a healthy life style, being successful in careers and financial prosperity, in economic and social security and earning the respect of the world.

So instead of celebrating Jesus during Advent and Christmas, we may end up celebrating what do not bring true joy and are not significant.

All the above and other fine things are God’s blessings.  We are and must be grateful if we possess them. The majority of the world’s population does not have these privileges.   But it has always been a temptation – and will always be – to love the gifts more than the Giver and treasure the blessings more that the God who blesses us!   When the blessings become the priority in such a way that it makes us forget the God who saves and helps, God’s purpose with his gifts and even with our lives, are lost.   

The Lord Jesus warned against this when he said:  “What, then, will anyone gain by winning the whole world and losing his life?” (Matthew 16:26)

Our bodies remain mortal, and our earthly treasure temporary.  Materialism cannot help us find the meaning of why we were given the gift of life, why we were born - and especially why we were born again. 

With divine love and compassion God gave his Son (John 3:16). The purpose of God’s action was that “whosoever believes in him would not perish, but have eternal life.”    Christ gives us the ability to strive for more and to receive the best:   To become - and live like - children of God, daily spreading the light of Christ in a world caught by and incarcerated in darkness, looking forward to eternal life and sharing the glory of Christ for all eternity. 

Being excited about this destiny change our lives, our priorities, our dreams and visions, our values, our principles and our life style.  During Advent, lets focus on what Jesus came to give us and accomplish for us.   He came to share our humanity, in order to give meaning to being human, alive and called to be interceding servants in the Father’s eternal kingdom.  

Thus we will find and experience what truly and sustainably and eternally makes us blessed!

(Matthew 5:3-12 The Message):

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One dearest to you.

“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

“You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

“You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

“Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit Me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.