ad·vent

While the word ‘Advent’ has a secular meaning, Christians know that Advent marks the time leading up to the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Advent begins on the 4th Sunday before Christmas, which is today. Of course, even just using the generic definition, who could be more notable than Jesus Christ, and what event could be more notable than His birth?

The picture above is actually a hand-drawn Christmas card made by Philip Womack, a former fellow inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Oakdale, La. where I spent 4 years, 2 months, and 20 days of my life. I came across it the other day, and when I opened it, I saw the messages written by 20 individuals I had come to know during my time there.

Some have since been released. Others have more time to serve.

Still others will die there.

The birth of our Savior occurred as God’s way of offering salvation to men like us. Men whose lives had descended to depths of such darkness that it appeared there was no way to ever see light again.

Today we mark the beginning of the celebration of the birth of that Light, so as you go through the busy days that lead up to your individual celebrations of that special day, remember that there is Hope for us all, thanks to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

And join me in praying for men like Philip, David, Stacy, Jeffrey, “Red”, Dan, Billy, “Icy”, Will, Derek, and the many others whose sinful lifestyles have led to incarceration and separation from their families at this most special, and Holy, time of year.

And let us all give thanks that there is Hope, through Jesus Christ, for all of us, and it is His birth we will soon celebrate.

God bless us, everyone.