Light of the World - Advent DevotionalSample

Love

The Bridge Builder

by Osvaldo Carnival, Pastor at Catedral de la Fe in Buenos Aires, Argentina

“‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’).” — Matthew 1:23

Among the variety of engineering courses at universities, bridge construction is a particularly special endeavor. 

As Boreham, the notorious Australian author, noted of a famous bridge builder:

His courageous conquests and wonderful accomplishments lead me to conclude that it is worth dedicating one’s life to the profession of building bridges. It’s beautiful to see how, across deep chasms and furious rivers, bridges extended across, which allow children to pass safely. Similarly, bridges of friendship and good will may also bridge differences between people.

During these difficult days — when people are dividing themselves from one another, when brothers and sisters are polarized by politics, race, and gender — it is increasingly necessary and, indeed, imperative for bridges of connection and love to be built. 

· Selfishness can be discarded by the bridge of compassion. 

· Hate and resentment cannot stand where there is a bridge of kindness and joy. 

· Sinful vices begin to fall away once a bridge is built to righteousness.

Consider Jesus Christ — the greatest bridge builder of all time. Using the materials of His life — starting with His humble birth in a manger — He built a bridge from earth to heaven, from death to life. 

Living by His example, you, too, can build bridges and bring reconciliation to a divided world this Christmas! 

God has already provided the materials you need: forgiveness, kindness, and the encouragement of His Word. Make it a point to use those tools — especially in this Advent season — to share His bridge-building love with those around you.

Reflection Point

What divisions and polarizations do you see in your immediate circle of influence? What bridges can you build to bring unity and share the love of Jesus Christ in those situations?

Prayer Requests

Pray for Osvaldo and our OneHope partners serving in South and Central America. Ask God to help them reflect the love that brought Jesus to earth to each and every child they interact with. 

Pray for the young people of Argentina, that God will bless their Christmas celebrations to bring unity to broken families and hurting communities through the Body of Christ.

Pray for God to help you show His love in your family ... in your community ... in your church ... and around the world. Ask Him to help you build bridges where they are most needed.

Celebrating Christmas in Argentina

December is a summer month in the southern hemisphere. With temperatures over 95°F, you won’t find a snowy white Christmas in Argentina!

Despite the warm weather, high calorie traditional meals (brought over from Europe, where Christmas is very cold) are served. Spicy dishes and lots of dried fruit are also common. 

The main celebration takes place on Christmas Eve — with a large, festive meal eaten in the late evening (around 10 or 11pm), followed by fireworks and traditional paper lanterns around midnight. Many people stay awake all night!

Christmas Day is much more relaxed and spent with family.