Luke 2:8–12 (NIV)
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
CONSIDER THIS
We’ve been waiting. We’ve been longing. And now, the culmination of Advent. He is here.
Today, I’m struck by the timing of his arrival. Not the age in history or season of the year. But the time of day, the hour at which it occurs. This arrival takes place at night. These are the only two words of timing that we are given: “at night.” In the thick of night is where the Light finds us.
One of the most persistent symbols of Christmas is the candle. Sure, we hang strings of bulbs on Christmas trees. We display our Moravian stars. And some of us turn our homes into flashing and blinking monstrosities visible from space. But through all of this, the candle shines brightest as the symbol of our journey of hope, joy, peace, and love.
All around the world tonight, Christians are gathering in cathedrals and stadiums and homes and caves and palaces and war-torn battlefields and a little movie theater. And in all of these places and more, Christians are singing songs and reading this story by simple candlelight.
A reminder that the Light has come. And he chooses to show up in the middle of darkness, in unexpectedly small and simple ways. A stubborn flicker of resistance, a defiant spark of hope. Passed from one person to the next, this Light advances, and the darkness is forced into retreat, with no place left to hide.
And no matter how much the darkness howls and threatens and fights to snuff it out, the darkness has not, and will not, overcome it. The people living in darkness have seen a great Light. On those living in the valley of the shadows, the Light has dawned. After the long night of waiting, the Morning himself has arrived at last. And Eve’s weeping gives way to Mary’s song. We raise our candles and voices together and sing along. “Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King.”
THE PRAYER
Light of the world, we have been waiting for the morning. We are waking up to find it more than we could have dreamed.
THE QUESTION
How has the light of Jesus overcome the darkness in this past year? Whom has he used to shine into your life this year? What is one thing you are grateful for about the year behind you?
For the Awakening,
Matt LeRoy
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4 Responses
The smallest lit candle is a beacon in the darkest room. Adding more darkness to extinguish the candle is impossible, but we can light more candles until there is zero darkness.
A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.
We are candles for Christ.
Stying 💪’n Christ
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, stay strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
When the angels appeared to the shepherds, we read that “the glory of the Lord shone around them.” According to Peter’s Pentecost sermon, “Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Here is when we receive the glory of the Lord, the Light of Christ within us. When we share this Light through proclamation and deed, we bring the Light of Christ into the lives of others. Blessed be the Name of Jesus.
Let the good news that has caused great joy and disrupted routine religion in the hearts and lives of radical Christ-followers for more than 2,000 years, release great, ongoing life-changing joy in and through you: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.!
If you’re a believer and Christ is in you, observe what He’s doing in there. Notice and obey the thoughts He’s putting in your mind, the instructions He’s giving your conscience, and the fruit of the Spirit He working to cultivate and release in your heart. Let Him reign in your brain, guide your conscience, and make you whole in your soul.
The Jesus holiday that celebrates the Creator being born as a human baby grabs the world’s attention for weeks, but the reality of Christ’s presence and power is mostly unnoticed or ignored. That needs to change.
It’s time for Christ-followers
To rise up and say
And to demonstrate
Night and day
How empowering
And healing it is
To have Jesus
As present-day,
Moment-by-moment
Lord, Master,
Savior and Friend!
Find Him today
And let Christ
Always lead your way.
Let the winter day called Christmas call your heart to continually welcome the risen Jesus Christ with wonder, warmth, and worship, to daily follow and obey His way, and to always surrender your will to His.