Christian Reflection and Prayer

(Day 6 of Advent)

Scripture:


Read John 12:35-36. TEXTS: The earth was without form
and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. ...
And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light
(see Genesis 1:2-3).

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men
(John 1:4).

Reflection:

We're walking down the sidewalk on a dark and dreary
December night. We tighten our collars and lean into
the blustery wind as the cold bites our cheeks. Then
someone throws a switch. In the twinkling of an eye
the darkness is shattered by thousands of brilliant
Christmas lights that warm our hearts and fill us
with childlike joy.

At the very beginning the world was shrouded in
deep darkness. Then the Word spoke, "Let there be
light." Instantly, beautiful light burst forth over the
newly formed earth and the darkness was gone.

On the sixth day God placed our first parents in a
beautiful, abundant paradise. But Adam and Eve
plunged our world into the darkness of sin, guilt
and misery by eating the fruit God had forbidden.
As their children we are all born in the darkness of
sin. We grope our way blindly through this life
unable to find our own way back to God. 

But God did not leave us in darkness. The Word
who first spoke and scattered the darkness comes
to shine His light into our hearts. He shows us
God's love and forgiveness, and promises us all
the joys and delights of the eternal paradise He
won for us by His perfect life, death and
resurrection. He is our light shining through the
darkness and in the shadow of our death.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank You for lighting my darkness,
forgiving my sins, and promising me eternal life
in Your presence. Scatter the darkness that still
clings to me, and cheer me with Your light.
Amen

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

(Day 5 of Advent)

Scripture:

Read Psalm 104:24-35.
TEXT: In Him was life (see John 1:4).

Reflection:

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is our Christmas
tree. While every other tree in the wood stands bare and
dead, our pines and spruces still look green and full of life.
But once we cut down one of those trees and bring it into
our house it's only a matter of time before it dries up and
its needles start to fall. Even if we were to leave it in the
ground it would still grow old, turn brown, and die, after
enough years passed.

Every creature on earth is like that. Life is a gift we
receive from God. We require food and drink to sustain
that life, but no matter how hard we try, after enough years
we grow old and frail, and eventually die.

Not so for the Baby in the Christmas manger. John tells
us, "In Him was life"-the immortal life of God Himself.
This separates Him from His creatures. He alone
possesses life as an element of His being. Not a single
one of us creatures can claim this. Not long before
Jesus went to the cross for us He said, "I lay down My
life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me,
but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to
lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again"
(see John 10:17-18).

That's what makes Christmas such a joyous season:
the mighty, living Word came to restore life to us in the
midst of death and suffering. Through His own death
and resurrection He has conquered death and gives us
life unending.

THE PRAYER:

Thank You for giving me life and sustaining that life in
this world, O God. Receive my praises for Your Son
who laid down His life that I might live eternally with
You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Scripture:

Read Colossians 1:11-20.
All things were made through Him, and without
Him was not anything made that was made (John 1:3).

Reflection:

Do you want to give a really special, memorable gift this
Christmas? Don't buy something from the store; make
it yourself. Your time, care and attention will show how
important you consider that person. Of course, it helps
if you have some skill or talent in making things.

John's Christmas account carries us back to the very
beginning of Genesis, to a formless and empty earth.
Over the next six days God goes to work carefully
arranging it. He establishes the regular cycle of night
and day; He separates the dry land from the waters;
He sets the sun, moon and stars in place; He produces
trees and vegetation; He creates all kinds of living
creatures to fill the skies, waters and land. And finally
He forms mankind from the dust of the earth.

And where is the Son of God in all of this? John tells us
He is at the Father's side, making all things through His
powerful Word. Read through Genesis 1 again and see
how many times Moses wrote, "And God said ...." This
is the Word, the Second Person of the Trinity. John tells
us, "All things were made through Him." To eliminate any
misconception he adds, "and without Him was not
anything made that was made."

Everything you can see bears His fingerprint, including
your own body, mind and spirit. Each person, each
creature, each blade of grass owes its existence to the
Word. It was He who humbled Himself on that first
Christmas to become part of His creation and be laid in
a manger-a feeding trough for the animals He had created
long before.

THE PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, truly I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Thank You for providing my needs and watching over my life.
Draw me closer to You in the weeks leading up to this
Christmas. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)