Eternal Light

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 60:19-22

Like many families, we all jump in the car in the evening a couple of days before Christmas for a drive to see all the houses decorated in our town. Some are very elaborate and others are… umm… not quite so elaborate. But regardless, on a dark evening with maybe a little snow on the ground, the lights really brighten up our streets with colour and joy.

This season we are preparing to celebrate the birth of our Saviour, and are longing for his return. Like the streets, there is a darkness in our world we would love to see overcome.

Jesus came to show us the light which will never fade, never set, never leave us in darkness. This is who we are readying ourselves for this time of year. This is the one who can see us through our darker periods of life and also celebrate with us in our times of joy.

Lord God, Your gift of light to a darkened world is a comfort and reassurance for me.
Let me see this light in all my life. Amen

The Days Are Coming

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16

Waiting…
Waiting…
Waiting…

If you’re like me, you don’t like to wait. I’m usually quite patient, but waiting when I’m ready for something is not something I do well.

However, there is a waiting we have no control over at all. That is waiting on God. God has a plan to redeem this world. He sent Jesus Christ to bring us into relationship with Him, to help us prepare for the ultimate plan for His creation: to return the earth to a place of peace and love, as it was created.

This month we wait, but not passively. We work while we wait. We work to prepare our hearts and lives for the gift of Jesus Christ and the love and teachings he brings. We seek to welcome him into our hearts so we can be fully prepared when the day comes when God brings His plan to fruition.

Lord God, help me to wait for Your return.
Help me to see the gift in the manger is for me and that I am part of
Your plan to bring Your Love to the earth and all it’s people. Amen.

In The Beginning

Scripture Reading: John 1:1-5

What is your earliest memory? How old were you? Who was there with you?

For some of those those memories hold joy. For others it could be pain. For others it may be a long time ago, for others it might not be so long.

There are millions of years of memories held on this planet. There are our memories, but there are also the memories of what was held in fossils telling us stories from millions of years ago.Yet through it all there is one constant.

God has been here from before the beginning. And at His side is Jesus Christ, the one we wait for who brings light into a darkened world. A world where for some memories are scary, scarring, and full of pain.

Jesus came to show us the pain can be overcome, the darkness can be pushed away, and that God’s light will shine forever.

Lord God, light Your light shine. Let it shine in my life so the darkness may not overcome me.
Help me see the light You bring to the earth in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Stay Awake

Scripture Reading: Mark 13:33-37

There is so much going on around us this time of year. Parties. Concerts. Family gatherings. Shopping. Food. Food. And more food.

I’m exhausted just thinking about it.

Yet there is a greater reason for enduring these days. There is a greater hope we are waiting for. There is a reason for being excited for what is to come.

While we do not know the time when Jesus will return, we are spending these days eagerly anticipating the celebration of his birth. We celebrate his coming to the earth to show us the love of God in person.

Lord God, help me to stay alert to the coming of Your Son
in this busy season. May I see Your gift that is to come. Amen

Grace and Peace

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

As we grow from infants to toddlers to children and adults, we develop skills and abilities. We also develop language and habits. As we grow from innocent children we may have had experiences which harden and change us.

But also we are changed by God when we turn our lives to Him. In Jesus we are made whole, we are turned from sin, we are true children of our Father in heaven.

In preparing our hearts this Advent season, we turn to God to help us in this preparation as we wait for the coming of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

Lord God, may Your grace and peace pour into me abundantly,
so that this grace and peace may spread from me to others. Amen.