Sunday, December 8, 2024 – Second Week of Advent
Towards the end of November, our community was alarmed with the reports that a six-year-old autistic boy was missing in West Chester. Large numbers of concerned citizens started a massive search for Joshua Al-Lateef, Jr. with the latest in search technology being utilized. Sadly, on the evening of Friday, November 22, Joshua was found dead in a pond on the property of his apartment complex. The community was shocked and grieved at the death of Joshua. In the coming days individuals and businesses reached out to donate their time and resources to support the grieving family and fully paid for his funeral. This outpouring of care and support was impressive and overwhelming.
At a time when our world has so many concerns and worries about much, the goodwill being shown to Joshua’s family clearly displays there is still so much good surrounding us. If the result were different and he was found alive and well, it would still be impressive in light of all of the people who came forth and participated in the search process. The phrase “all hands-on deck” fits Joshua’s search well—a true community effort.
In our Advent/Christmas season, one common Scripture phrase heard is “the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawn.” (Matthew 4:16). We all wish that Joshua would be walking, laughing, and playing in our midst today, but even in the sadness of his premature passing, light and hope were evident in how God’s Spirit is present in how many charitable people came forward to assist in multiple ways. The light of Christ shown! And in less high-profiled circumstances, we have seen how Christ has shined though the darkness of unfortunate incidents to offer the hope and promise for the future.
As we move through this time of Advent, may we all live in the expectation of that hope and promise the season offers and live this out by opportunities to witness to God’s presence to those who are in despair.