Joyful singing we are bringing to the Child, Emmanuel!
See the Holy Infant Lowly who came down to earth to dwell!
Lift a song in jubilation, join with us in celebration!
Now the star shines high above; He’s the King of Peace and Love!
Dona Nobis Pacem
Today we begin to focus on Love for our Advent devotions. But Dona Nobis Pacem is Latin for “Grant Us Peace” and the words of the song are “He’s the King of Peace and Love. So, I’m going to take the liberty to focus on both Love AND Peace.
One of the most difficult times in my life was in June of 1991. My husband and I were first time parents, and our daughter was not quite two years old. My parents lived in Paragould, my hometown, and my mother was admitted to the hospital with heart problems.
On Sunday morning, Father’s Day, we received the call that my father had passed away. In a daze, I packed what we needed, and we made the trip home. Funeral plans were made that afternoon and the decision was made to go to the hospital the next morning to tell my mother.
Early Monday morning, my three sisters, my brother, and I went to the hospital along with my mother’s sister. Together we told her that our father had died and we were taking care of the arrangements. She took it as well as could be expected, even in her fragile condition.
As everyone does, friends from our home church and hometown wrapped us in love. Casseroles and desserts were brought by all the ladies, and we had more food than we could possibly eat, even for my large family.
The funeral was held on Wednesday morning with all our family, while my aunt stayed with my mother at the hospital. After the funeral, she called to tell us my mother was getting worse and needed surgery as soon as possible. So, my husband and two brothers-in-laws went to the hospital to be with her while my siblings and I went to bury our father.
With all of the grief and pain and worry of the week, God gave me a peace like I’d never known. He kept bringing to my mind Romans 8:28, “All things work together for good to them that love God.” Friends from Paragould as well as Little Rock wrapped us in love in so many ways.
It’s easy to feel the love of God in the good times of life. But thankfully, He always finds a way to show us that love in the hard times.
King of Peace and Love, we praise You for Your presence in all the times of our lives. Help us to be vessels of Your love and peace to those who need it today. Amen.
This reflection was written by Debbie Rogers.