Light pierces the darkness

1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles:

2The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of the shadow of death,

a light has dawned.a

3You have enlarged the nation

and increased its joy.

The people rejoice before You

as they rejoice at harvest time,

as men rejoice in dividing the plunder.

4For as in the day of Midian

You have shattered the yoke of their burden,

the bar across their shoulders,

and the rod of their oppressor.

5For every trampling boot of battle

and every garment rolled in blood

will be burned as fuel for the fire.

6For unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given,

and the government will be upon His shoulders.

And He will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7Of the increase of His government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on the throne of David

and over his kingdom,

to establish and sustain it

with justice and righteousness

from that time and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:1-7)

THOUGHTS: The people of Galilee (Naphtali and Zebulun were the Israelite tribes given that land).  Galilee was not very valuable.  It was out in the country with no real resources but the lake.  When people walk in darkness they must walk slowly with their heads down.  The shadow of death over us flees from the light of the rising sun- like the sun coming up over a cemetery. 
A child is born who will assume the throne of David.  This is the anointed one- the Messiah.  He is to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) but come from Galilee.  He is not just a man- he is (vs. 6) God, prince of peace.  He is worthy of our worship and time.  

Prayer: Thank you for coming into our darkness that we migt have life.  

Christmas and Giving`

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.  (John 3:16)

For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to GIVE His life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)

THOUGHTS: One of the great things about Christmas is the giving.  More is given at Christmas.  There seems to be a spirit of generosity around- a spirit of compassion and kindness.  We want to put some coins in the Salvation Army kettle.  Not only is there Black Friday and Cyber Monday- but there is also Giving Tuesday.  Thirty-four percent of giving to charity happens in the last three months of the year. 
We can easily get wrapped up in thinking we spend too much on others.  While it is important not to go overboard, it is a time to be extravagant and gracious.  God was extravagant and gracious to us.  God's plan was a plan of giving that first Christmas.  Giving Himself and making the infinite finite and vulnerable.  God gave that first Christmas- the gift of life a the infinite cost of His Son.  Jesus said He came to give.  The presents, the giving to the needy are all signs that point to a greater gift. 

PRAYER: Lord, may my meager generosity reflect your great generosity. 

Advent means: Be Translucent

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. (Isaiah 60:1) 

THOUGHTS: The light of Christ has come.  God's glory comes upon us like the rising of the sun comes upon the darkness.  We are to be translucent- letting the light shine through us.  The light will not be nearly as bright as it shines through us, but nevertheless we are called to reflect and let the light shine through.  Translucence means that the light shines but it is a bit filtered and bent and even colored by the object through which it shines.  So the light of Jesus shines in 2.6 billion Christians in the world in different refracted ways.  So He is the light of the world (John 8:12) and we are the light of the world (Mt. 5:14,16).  Our light is not self-generated- but is His shining through us- energizing us as it does so. 
   There are so many who do not really celebrate Christmas, and we (currently) have the freedom to do so.  In some countries (eg. North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Brunei) Christmas lights and trees are banned.  We should see these things as reminders of Christ- and light up our houses as a witness to the light of lights (I'm not advocating being gawdy- just let someone see the light from outside).  The necessity to witness to a darkening world is so important.  

Prayer: Lord, let me be translucent- let your light shine through me. 

(sun light shining through translucent filter)

Jesus spoke again, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  (John 8:12)

The true light that gives light to every person was coming into the world. (John 1:9)
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (John 1:4)

"You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither should people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."  (Matthew 5:14-16) 

Let the Party Begin

The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for al the people.  Today in the Town of David A Savior has been born who is Christ the Lord.  (Lk. 2:10-11)

I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly.  (Jesus: John 10:10)

Thoughts:  There are many Christmas parties going on in December.  Some of them have nothing to do with Christmas.  But they all pale with the true and great joy given by the Creator of joy and life.  He is the one who said, that He came to bring life and bring about the joyous, abundant life.  There is no joy like the love of God.  We don't have to be dour about Christmas.  It is a feast of the church- a celebration.  God's love manifest- incarnate.  All our presents imitate His great gift.  All our artificial parties imitate and try to artificially reproduce the joy.  But nothing compares to the true joy of knowing God loves us and has made us for a purpose- that our life is not meaningless, but has true meaning and hope.

Prayer:  Thank you for the joy that came down at Christmas.  Help us to live in that true joy no matter what life has in store for us.  Help us to rejoice in you- Emmanuel!

Sing: "Joy to the world The Lord Has Come!"

(Image Chordiem.com)

Coming Back

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42:2) 

The spy calls in to the base, "Meet me at the rendezvous point at the appointed time."  So we are called to meet with God this advent.  He has appointed a specific spot- "where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them."  Our rescue, our salvation lies where we meet with God.  Do we believe in Him enough to believe He will show up? 

In Psalm 42 the writer is in a tough spot.  He wants even longs to meet with God for relief and sanctuary.  His soul thirsts to come back to God.  So we need to quench the thirst of our soul.  As we cannot live without water, so we cannot really live without purpose, without hope, without love- we are made to have these things- and ultimately they are found in God. 

Prayer: Lord, give me the desire to meet with you this advent, that my thirsty soul may be assuaged.

 

The Light Comes Back

The first candle of advent is the symbol of prophecy and hope. 

SCRIPTURE: 

4In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  

6There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. 8He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.

9The true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him.

DEVOTION: 
Advent means coming- especially God's coming.  God did not just make us but is with us.  In our world of quick fixes, the ministry of presence is important even today.  It is this ministry that God has given us in Jesus.  The word “Emmanuel” that the angel talked about means “God with us.” 

The light of the world came into the darkness- God came back for us.  In 1989 the runway lights went off at night at John Wayne International airport in LA.  Planes could not land safely and hundreds of passengers were diverted to other airports far away.  The lights came back on and the planes could land safely.  The light of the world has come back into our world to light up our darkness and show us the way.  I have noticed many dark homes this advent season.  I am asking you to light up yours as a sign of faith.  You don’t have to be gawdy or overdo it, but just let your light shine in a symbol of advent- the light of hope has come- the prophecies and hopes have been fulfilled.  Maybe the light you shine in your home will remind someone that there is hope and there is a light that shines in the darkness.  

PRAYER: 
Lord, thank you for coming back to us.  Help us to come back to you.   

The Honor of the Graybeard

DAY 1- THE HONOR OF THE GRAYBEARD
“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the graybeard of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:32)

      Moffatt Burriss Sr. was a man who drew respect from you whether you liked it or not.  He valued God and country.  He taught his family to appreciate Montreat so that they all have houses here and a gazebo on Lake Susan in honor of Louisa, their mother.  His exploits during World War II- found in the book “Strike and Hold” are worth remembering- courage and quick thinking under fire.  His service to his community and to South Carolina are noteworthy both as a businessman and as a representative of the people in the statehouse.   Moffatt knew how to respect people, and taught that. 
    In this passage of the Law, the people were taught to stand before the aged- of the “gray headed.”  Just surviving- persevering- going through the ups and downs is worthy of respect in and of itself.  To live a long life is a sign of God’s blessing, because each day is a gift. 
    In a strange change of values in the last thirty years, we value strength more than experience; youth more than wisdom; fads and fashion more than what will last.   Perhaps we value such things because they will surely fade- beauty, youth, strength.  But instead of valuing things that will perish so quickly, we ought to value things that will last.  The difference can be seen in many things.  Take clothes- a pair of cheap shoes- vinyl bought at Walmart may be in fashion, but within a year of use the sole will fall off.  A pair of more expensive leather shoes will hold up and conform to your foot.   A cheap tie may look good, but the first time a rain comes it will fall apart.  But value a tie that lasts and that you get to know.  
So an older person, who has lived through the ups and downs of life has something of value to give- crystallized intelligence. 
      Our passage says “honor the ‘graybeard’ (or ‘old face’) of an old man and you shall fear your God.”  How is this so?  How are we taught about a man who lived 2,000 years ago and gave Himself on the cross for our sins so we might have life?  We must trust those who went before us- trust their story- trust their trust.  To not trust the Bible is to not trust the core Gospel truth.   
     In the 1960s the saying was “don’t trust anyone over 30.”  Now all of those who said that are over 30.  Pepsi had commercial after commercial showing pictures of pretty young girls and handsome athletic men.  The commercial said, “Join the Pepsi Generation.”  Now most of those in that ad are in nursing homes and use walkers and are in their eighties. I am not sure any commercials will come around now inviting us to join that generation!  My point is youth fades and to over value being in it takes away from the enjoyment of life and the ability to listen for wisdom from the wise.  There are many smart people today and we know more information today.  But our ability to filter through the information is missing because we have forgotten to honor those who can sift through it for us- who have perspective and experience in life.  Yes, honor the graybeard- and you shall fear God.”

Prayer: Lord, keep me from being short-sighted.  Help me to value what you value- what is true, full of love and light.  Give me today, the perspective I need.  Help me to honor those who have experience.

[Written at "The Graybeard" house in Montreat- home of John and Becca Burriss;
Celebrating a 62nd birthday and 15 years at LMPC- cause to reflect on "grayness."]