Tuesday, Dec 7, 2021
“The Empty Chair”
Since this is the second week of Advent and the week devoted to the topic of Peace, it is proper and appropriate to recognize that today is the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. US flags will be flying at half-mast and we should be paying attention. Many people were called to make a sacrifice that most of us can’t imagine! For that reason alone, we should give attention to those who served and those who are currently serving.
Many families will see an empty space or two at their Christmas tables this year. The empty chairs may represent those who were lost in combat or those who are currently deployed. The empty chair might also be for a veteran who survived their tours of military combat, yet their chair is still empty. Whatever the cause, we owe our military veterans (past and present) and their families plenty of thanks for their service and sacrifice.
Let’s not forget the empty chairs at Christmas this year. We can be intentional about “Checking in” and “Checking on” our veterans and their families. We probably have some empty chairs at our table as well this year, but today let’s offer some thanks and prayers for those who are serving our country and their families who support them.
Someone else is making the sacrifice on our behalf. That’s gotta mean something. A simple “Merry Christmas” can make all the difference in the world. Let’s also add a prayer or two for our armed services and their loved ones to help bring some peace and joy to their Christmas table this year.
“No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13, CEB).