As I sit here in the Atlanta airport, I can’t believe that one week from today is Thanksgiving, 2021! It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating the holidays amidst a tumultuous 2020, anxiously awaiting a new year. 2021 hasn’t been much different, although we have returned to a semblance of normality.
What will 2022 hold? I just read from ZME Science that tonight is set to display the longest lunar eclipse in almost 600 years! “An almost total lunar eclipse is expected overnight this Thursday, November 18th, to Friday, November 19th. It will last almost three hours and 30 minutes, making it the longest in centuries. About 97% of the moon will vanish into Earth’s shadow – visible in many parts of the world, including North and South America and eastern Australia.”
We have certainly seen many rarities and “firsts” over the last eighteen months, and we don’t know what 2022 has in store for us. But one thing we do know is that “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart”
(Hebrews 12:1-3 NASB1995).
Last year, I was incredibly blessed to write an Advent series focusing on the hymns of Christmas. It was such an enriching experience to dwell daily on the redemptive themes of the first Advent over 2000 years ago. The 2021 Advent season officially starts on Sunday, November 28. I compiled an Advent playlist on YouTube as a companion to the Advent series on the blog. I will include the links below. May we all fix our eyes on Jesus during this holiday season and throughout 2022!
From my family to yours, have a blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Simply Persuaded 