Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

Every year during our Thanksgiving season, as we commune together as one in the Special Events Center, I am grateful and my heart is filled with joy for so many blessings. To work and grow in a space where you can lead and effect change while being empowered to learn and develop continuously is rare. Yet, that is our world of education, for that I am grateful. What fills my heart with joy and kicks my holiday season off to an amazing start during our Thanksgiving event is the parade of nations. Watching all of the students with flags of the various countries represented at our university brings so much pride. Every year, as I watch the flag from Mexico pass my table my heart skips a beat and I cheer loudly, I feel represented. Then the last flag rounds the corner, the American flag, the same feelings overpower me. I am seen, both in the Mexican flag and in the American flag waving proudly down at me from the rafters. I wonder how many others feel the same. I wonder how many others feel delight from the vision of more than one flag. Just when I think my heart cannot take any more glee, we begin in prayer and worship. I am holistically enveloped in elation.

While the academic year is not always completely filled with joyous moments and occasions such as I describe, these joyous moments remind us that there is always hope that helps us preserver throughout. Just as Matthew points to Isaiah to show that the Gentiles will hope in the name of the Messiah, Jesus becomes the way in which the people of all nations come in hope to God the Father. What are the moments of joy throughout your year that bring you hope?

Lord, help us hear clearly your word of love and hope. Help us always to live in your glory, humility and grace amongst all others. In your name we pray. Amen.