Daily Scripture Reading: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Isaiah 4:2-6; Acts 1:12-17, 21-26

The Day is Near

December 21, 2012. Human kind’s last day on earth or at least we thought it would be. Social media, news, Mayans, and scientists were all discussing how we were hurtling toward death. Earth and its inhabitants would undergo a positive physical or spiritual transformation, and that December 21, 2012, would mark the beginning of a new era. This story started with claims that Nibiru, a supposed planet discovered by the Sumerians, was headed toward earth. This catastrophe was initially predicted for May 2003, but when nothing happened, the doomsday date was moved forward to December 2012 – hence the predicted doomsday date of December 21, 2012.

It was a Friday night, the end of a busy work week with the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Season well under way. As we began to retire for the evening, we sat on the bed, with the cat curled up at our feet in quiet slumber. We were reflecting on our day and the week while watching the evening news. And the story started scrolling across the screen.....doomsday is here! We lightheartedly began to discuss the story and how gullible human beings could be. After all, we knew only HE knew when the end of the world would come.

The conversation turned a bit lighthearted. We laughed and joked about the news and the supposedly impending doom. So, we thought just in case we were about to meet our maker; just in case this really was the day, and with a gallant disregard for the imminent apocalypse, we began singing hymns.

“In the sweet, in the sweet; by and by, by and by; We shall meet on that beautiful shore”.......”Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine, oh what a foretaste of glory divine; Heir of salvation, purchase of God; born of His spirit, washed in his blood.” ......“Shall we gather at the river; the beautiful, beautiful river; Gather with the saints at the river; That flows by the throne of God”

Needless to say, bedtime gospel concerts were not the norm at our house and the novelty of the situation was apparently upsetting the cat, who had now jumped to the floor, and started an awful wailing in a feline commentary that told us she did not feel that our talent was equal to our zeal. We laughed at her and ourselves and the situation.

Reflecting back on this humorous episode, we have been discussing how we have handled real adversity. Before we met, we both had dark times in our lives; painful relationships, serious illnesses, the loss of a family member. Many dark and anxious hours spent worrying. We have learned that these times of pain and uncertainty can always be handled better with prayer; the love and help of one another, and with the strength we derive from our family and our church. We know that no matter what our trials may be, from small to large, even if it’s a cataclysmic disaster that might destroy the world, we can always handle them best by relying on Him. The real story of that December, and of every December since, is not the 21st, but the 25th. The day we celebrate our savior’s birth. He is that light that removes all darkness.

Much to our relief, or disappointment, the world did not end on December 21, 2012. The cat has moved to Oxford with Hannah. We continue to rejoice and once in a while belt out a chorus or 2 of some old favorite hymns....even dividing with lead and backup parts. “For I am the Lord your God, Do Not Fear.”

—Craig and Cindy Wood