12/13-A Weeping Spirit

12/13 Scripture - When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” (Matthew 2:16-20)

I confess I find these words some of the most disturbing in Scripture. What a horrific scene that breaks my heart.  Why in the midst of the beauty of the Word being made flesh are we told about humanity’s immense capacity for evil? But that is why the baby Jesus was born in the first place. He came to redeem, transform, and restore us. And as Herod shows we desperately need redemption from the evil in our hearts.

Christmas is a beautiful wonderful time. But it has a spirit of darkness. For many Christmas is a lonely, depressing, desperate time.  It is a time when one is “supposed” to be happy, but in truth depression and suicide rates rise each December.  Christmas is a time when too many people feel broken. Many are hurting and grieving. Others are ill or facing challenges in their families. And all these problems seem bigger when cast in the light of “Happy Holidays.”

As the church of Jesus Christ and as His brothers and sisters we are to cast out this spirit of darkness and fill it with light and love. Jesus came to give us eternal and abundant life. He sent His Holy Spirit to be our Comforter. The Spirit is the Lord and Giver of Life and through the Spirit Jesus keeps His promise that he will never leave us.  In truth we are never alone for God is with us. But as Christians we are to look for those that the world has hurt and welcome them especially this time of year. We are to offer everyone the certain hope that is found in knowing Jesus Christ and the peace and joy He freely gives to His disciples. And as each person finds hope and healing, our joy increases and so does the Lord’s!

Prayer: Lord use me to cast out darkness. Heal those who are broken and hurting. Make me an instrument of your peace this Christmas and always.

Application: Invite someone to worship or another activity at LMPC. Help them connect with others here.

Today is 12-13-14 getting ready for 15!
The devotion today is written by Rev. Tracie Stewart, Associate for Pastoral Care and Education