Friday December 6, 2024

Today is Friday, December 6 and we are in the season of Advent. This week we are studying the songs of Elizabeth and Mary recorded in the Gospel of Luke.

Holy and Loving God, my heart is full of joy as I begin the season of Advent anticipating the celebration of the birth of Your Son, our savior, Jesus Christ the Lord. As a new day begins, I come to this quiet place and pause to rest in Your presence. I breathe deeply, still my mind and focus on the words of these two beautiful women – Mary the mother of Jesus and her cousin Elizabeth. Let me hear the message you have for me today through the words of these ancient songs. Amen.

“His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. Luke 1:53-56

The words of Mary’s song praise God for what He has already done and celebrates how the Messiah will accomplish these things in an ultimate final way. God’s power and holiness are expressed in bringing down the arrogant and lifting up those who have been rejected or neglected by the world. God’s work sustains those who are needy, restores those who have been treated unjustly and demonstrates that earthly wealth has no eternal value.

There is darkness in our world. The darkness of evil, the darkness of uncertainty, the darkness of disease, the darkness of poverty, the darkness of oppression, the darkness of sin, the darkness of violence and hatred. Through the birth of Mary’s Son, Jesus, the Light of the world was born. The light that shines in the darkness. The light that cannot be overcome, extinguished, shut out or ignored. The Light of Jesus Christ.

It gets dark so early in the evening now. Sunset is around 5:25 p.m. in Texas. We are heading for the Winter Solstice. December twenty-first is the darkest, longest night of the year. It is the shortest day with the least amount of daylight and the longest darkest night. Imagine living in a time before there was electricity to light our homes and businesses. The cold darkness of the winter months must have been a difficult season to endure. Ancient people were greatly impacted by the amount of daylight. On the night of the Winter Solstice, they looked for assurance that the light would come. Sometimes they told stories and kept vigil waiting in the darkness for the sun to rise again. By waiting they learned that even in the darkest times, the light is not vanquished. The light comes. The sun rises. During Advent we wait for Jesus. The Light of the World. The true Light.

Take some time today and identify places of darkness. Where is the darkness – across the globe, within our country, in your city, in your neighborhood, in your workplace, in your extended family, in your home, in your relationships, in your heart? Where do you need the Light of Christ to come and shine in the darkness? Sometimes we must wait in the darkness. Waiting in the darkness means trusting God and having faith that even in the darkest places and the darkest circumstances, Christ comes.

Ask: How can I spend time praying for the dark places I have identified both far away and close to home? What would it mean for me to wait in the darkness and trust God is at work?

Pause and Pray

Holy and blessed Lord, You are a God of love, justice, mercy and power. There is much darkness in this world, Lord. We need the Light of Jesus Christ to shine. Come, Light of the World, and be born anew this Christmas. Fill the hungry with good things and send the rich away empty. Illuminate the darkness and reveal sorrow, sin, grief and hopelessness. Bring Your love and peace to reign in our hearts and lives. Teach us to wait in the darkness and trust You are working all things together for good. Amen.

Printer Friendly Version

Sign up to receive The First 15 in your email