Tuesday, December 11

Psalm 36:5-9 (NRSV)

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your judgments are like the great deep;
you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.
How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

Each year, in many communities and homes, lighting the Christmas tree is a big event. For the big trees in New York and Washington D.C., we watch superstars croon carols as the countdown to the lighting begins.

What is it about the Christmas lights that ushers in such merriment? I wonder if it has to do with our scripture for today. “In your light we see light.”

When life is hassled, sidewalks need shoveling, bills outnumber our income or when we have no pay check at all, when loved-ones are ill or have recently passed, we find it hard to see light. When we see Christmas lights, we are reminded of Christ. When we see Christ, we see true light.

Pray: Christ be our light, shine in our hearts, show us the way. Amen.

Monday, December 10

2 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV)

I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.

Does your family look like the ones in the Christmas made-for-TV movies? Will your holiday be like the ones portrayed in a Norman Rockwell painting or on a Currier and Ives tin? Chances are it will not. For some of us, family gatherings are filled with joy, albeit a little less picturesque than television portrayals. For many of us, however, there are no family gatherings. For some of us, loneliness is the reality.

Both the Old and New Testaments continually offer the promise God gives: “You are mine.” Whether you find this to be true with other people, rest assured that it IS true with our Father God. You’re not alone, you’re not unloved. In fact, you are loved by the perfect Father who will never fail you or distance Himself from you. You are loved in a perfect way, unconditionally and never-changing. Being God’s child is far more meaningful than any human familial relation can be.

Pray: You have said to me, “You are mine.” Help me to feel your love in a deep and profound way. Remind me that I am not alone. Amen

Sunday, December 9

Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The Christmas season can really wear you out! We run around like crazy people, adding to our normal busy schedule the “joys” of extra shopping, cooking, and social engagements.

Peace on earth, maybe. Peace in my life, not a chance! I wonder if we could push all of that away and put it on the back burner. Sure, it’s likely we will still do it all in the name of tradition, but maybe we can strive to put less importance on the “stuff” of the season and go to our Lord for respite and peace.

A moment a day, whether with silent prayers while in the car, simple pauses to read a devotion, or gazing at the nativity scene on your mantle, a simple moment each day might revive us and remind us that with Jesus, our burden becomes light.

Let’s try to find perspective and experience Christ’s rest each day.

Pray: Dona nobis pacem. Give us peace. Amen.