December 2025

The late Erma Bombeck wrote a piece called “The Favorite Child.” She said, “Every mother has a favorite child; she cannot help it, for mothers are human.” She said,

“My favorite child is the one who is too sick to eat the ice cream at her birthday party… the one who had measles at Christmas… who had fever in the middle of the night… who was in my arms at the emergency room… who lost the money for his class ring… who messed up at the piano recital... who ran the wrong way with the football when he finally got in the game… who had his bike stolen because he was careless. All mothers have their favorite child, and it’s the one who needs her the most at the moment.”

The invitation of Advent is not to have it all together and present a confident outlook to God and the world. The invitation of Advent is to listen to the angels saying through the centuries, “Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11).

The good news is not that we have arrived and measured up, but rather, in our state of fear and anxiety and frequent mess ups, we have a Savior who comes to us to save, to love, and to heal. The invitation of Advent is to honestly name our fears, gather up our courage to move through them together, and acknowledge at this moment that we need a Savior.

We need God to come with peace and teach us to insist on hope.

Rev. Dr. Boyung Lee asks

What are we afraid to hope for?

What have we stopped praying for?

Where has fear caused us to shrink back?

Our fears do not disqualify us; instead, they mark the beginning of transformation and the dawning of hope.  Insist on it.

For to you is born a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.

Tom