Observation: I've never read the end of Luke's Gospel so close to Christmas before, and it brings up some interesting parallels. The same Spirit which overshadowed Mary is the one Jesus commends to his Father from the cross. Just as an angel shone with God's glory in the middle of the night for the shepherds, now we see darkness in the middle of the day as Jesus breathes his last.
Application: Today is the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year. We know from past experience that the days will get brighter from here. They do every year. Yet it's faith that keeps us going on to those brighter days. If you are dealing with dark days, whether it's today or later on in the winter, or even after light and warmth returns to this part of the earth, know that you are not alone in the darkness. That's the promise of the cross. In fact, really, it's the fullness of the promise of the incarnation. Jesus did not take on flesh only to share our fun, joyful moments. Jesus is not a fairweather friend. He doesn't only show up to the bright holiday parties, or in the lives of the relentlessly positive, or those who manage to mask or numb their pain. If the "spirit of the season" just isn't there for you this year, if you're in a dark place, I have better news for you than candles and blinking lights can provide. The light of the world--Jesus--is here with you, in your darkest hour.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for being with us on the hardest days as well as the easiest. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment