Saturday, December 12, 2020
…down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Revelation 22:2
Advent season is very different from usual this year as we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. We await the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ in the midst of waiting for successful treatments and a vaccine to help put an end to the isolation and illness from which our world is suffering. Our frontline healthcare workers are essential in caring for our loved ones as we cannot be present with them at this time. I thought of my daughters, Michelle, who is a nurse, and Melinda, who is a physical therapist, who work in local hospitals. In the picture we see a nurse (Kristin McCullough) in full personal protective gear, and I recognized Dr. Karin Buettner as she works to protect and care for her patients.
In Revelation 22:2, we read of the “leaves for the healing of the nations.” This reminds me of the doctors, nurses and therapists who we entrust to care for our loved ones in hospitals and healthcare facilities. It is a very lonely time for those who experience social isolation due to high risk, advanced age and illness. I believe the Holy Spirit is present with all of us, especially the dedicated caregivers who support our loved ones each day and provide comfort for those who cannot have family with them in their last moments of life.
My prayer today is for strength for all healthcare workers, comfort for those who are suffering, and healing for our nation and world.
Gail Clelland