B16 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, November 20, 1996 A time for waiting By MICHAEL HARE Knox United Church AS WE move through November we notice the days progressively getting shorter and the nights getting longer. But we know that we still have anoth- er month to go before we arrive at the shortest day of the year, ° For some people the increasing length of the darkness reminds them of the darkness that they are experiencing in their own lives: the grief from the death of someone to. whom they were close; the anxicty of taking early retirement as the result of a buyout at their place of employment, the worry about a pos- sible layoff from their job, the fear of nol having cnough lo get them through the winter let alone the Christmas sea- son, and the list goes on, In the middle of this darkness we see a great light which we know as Christ- mas when we remember that God he- came flesh and lived among us as Jesus of Nazareth. Christmas for some is a season of hope. For some of us who experience darkness in our lives, Christmas cannot come soon enough. But the Church, in its wisdom, has said that we cannot go Instead of rushing about and worrying about whether the cards have been written, the baking com- pleted, the shopping done, we need fo spend some time waiting and praying ‘thy kingdom come.’’ directly to Christmas. We cannot pass “Go”’ and collect our $200, Instead we must pass through a season of four weeks known as Advent. Advent is a time of remembering, of waiting, of hoping. It is a time of re- membering of when Christ was born in a stable in Bethlehem, with angels sing- View Point ing, “‘Glory to God in the highest and peace to men of goadwill.”” . We remember thal this same Jesus ultimately suffered death on a cross, and three days later in his resurrection broke the bonds of death and despair giving new life and hope to all who would believe. It is a time of waiting as we anticipate the time when Christ shall return in greal glory to complete the establish- ment of the new order in which we shall live in peace with each other and with God at a banquet which will never run out of food. It is a time of hoping that Christ’s return shall happen very s a ° n . We hope for the destruction of the forces of evil, for the conversion of swords into ploughshares, We have this hope because we re- member that in the first Christmas Jesus came as the Son of God, If Ad- vent is all of these things, then we need to change the way we observe the four weeks prior to Christmas, Instead of rushing about and worrying about whether the cards have been writ- ten, the baking completed, the shopping done, we need to spend some time waiting and praying ‘‘thy kingdom come.”” During the time of waiting we should reflect on what the world wilt look like when Christ shall return. During this time of hoping we should examine what we can do to bring into this world Christ’s kingdom, even as we wait for God to unleash those forces that will bring about the kingdom that shall have no end, This article represents the views of the author. The article does not neces- sarily represent the views of The Ter- race Standard. The Boy Is a Danger. We Valerie, her arms full of groceries, opened the front doar, took a look at the living room and sucked in her breath. Her groceries drapped to the flocr. “Heaven help us. Where did he. ever find another knife? ! took the old one away. Look how he slashed the upholstery of the chair. All the stuffing is out. My Lord, it looks like the innards of a body. Next time it won't be a chalr, It'll be us. There can’t be a next time. Paulo’s got to go,” Valerie dashed upstairs into Paulo’s room. There, sitting on the bed, was the sev- en-year-old boy burying his head into the shoulder of his eight-year-old sister, Anio. Both were convulsed with tears. “Please don't send us back to that horrible orphanage in Brazil," Anio pleaded. Valerie's heart was breaking. “Oh, Anio, | wish things could be differ- ent. But we can no longer keep Paulo. He's a danger to all of us. We will con- tinue with our plans to adopt you, But \‘m calling the Children's Aid Society to take Paulo back.” Valarie dashed out of the room the tears streaming dawn her cheek and ran to the phone. The next week, Saul came home from a business trip to find Valerie in a chair shaking almost uncontrollably. “Saul, 'M a nervous wreck. Paulo calls every day from his foster hame. He wants to speak to Anio, He wants YOu BE THE JUDGE Will Just Adopt His Sister. by Claire Bernstein to see Ania. The Children's Aid psychi- atrist called. He says Paulo needs to retain contact with his sister. He says court action will be taken on behalf of Paulo, | want Paulo aut of ry life. I'm terrified,” Saul put his arms around Valerie. “Don't worry. We've started adoption proceedings for Anio, Let them take us to court. The law will be In our favor." In court, the couple’s lawyer argued, “Your honor, the law bars post-adaptive access by family members, Once an adoption has taken place there is no contact with the birth family. Make Paulo go away.” Paulo's lawyer pleaded: "The law does allow rare exceptions, The special cir- cumstances of Paulo's case should permit an exception. Valerie said she was going to adopt both of the child- ren, She changed her mind. She cecid- ed she dicn't want Paulo, And she has done everything to keep his sister away from him. That is not fair. And the law must be falr. Order Valerie to give Paulo access to his sister,” Should Paulo be allowed to seek access to his sister? YOU! BE THE JUDGE. Then look below for the deci- sion of the court. SPONSORED BY s “Helping People Cope with the Legal System’ Pe aM ak #2 4623 Lakelse Ave., Terrace, B.C. ® Criminal Law Divorce & Family Law Child Custody Personal Injury Adoptions Impaired Driving Immigration Wrongful Dismissal Wills Small Claims 638-1764 Fax 638-7249 YOU BE THE JUDGE - DECISION "Valerie. THIS COURT ORDERS YOU TO ALLOW PAULO TO HAVE ACCESS TO HIS SISTER, The tela- tionship of brother and sister is a basic human relationship, It existed between these two children long before Valerie became involved in thelr lives, and they lived as brather and sister in your residence,” Today's decision is based on the facts of the case and the law of Onlarla. Claite Bemstein is 8 syndicated columnist. Copyright 1996 Haika Enterprises, b8j-4 lawyer and * Frozen Car Locks? This Con Be Prevented Stop By Your One Stop Lock Shop Where Advice Is Always Free! 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