Today's reading for the LEC Family Advent Devotional is Isaiah 9:2 -- The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
In several days, it will be the longest day of the year, and we will have the shortest amount of daylight for the year. And for many people this is a reminder that Christmas is not always a happy time of the year. Many churches minister to those who are mourning during this time of the year that most of us view as a happy time of celebration with friends and family. At once church that I served at, we had a Blue Christmas service. One of my fellow staff members had had a devastating family loss and every year she mourned this lost but celebrated the life of this family member during a Blue Christmas service. And so that year we mourned the losses in our lives but also celebrated the light that they had left and the promise of the coming of the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. We all brought a Christmas ornament that represented the person we had lost & decorated a tree. During the short service of remembrance we all lit a candle and said something about our loved one.
Today's devotional writer reminds us that Isaiah was talking to the people of God who were having a really hard time. They felt beaten down and hopeless. They didn't know what their future would bring. They felt God had forgotten them. But Isaiah tells them that a great light is shining upon them and that, even though they think God has forgotten them, he is with them -- Emmanuel. Maybe you're one of those people that has a hard time celebrating during this season of Joy because of a loss in your life. If you are, remember that God has not forgotten you. His light is shining upon you, and that light is Jesus Christ. For the rest of us, be aware of those around you who need to see the light of Jesus shining in this world. Be His light to the world. "This little light of mine. I'm gonna let it shine. This little light of mine. I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!"
Today's Advent Photo of the Day
#shine #pictureadvent
This is a picture of one of the most famous lighthouses in the United States, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. It is the tallest lighthouse in the United States and has guided mariners for over 200 years. Just as lighthouses guide sailors, may we remember during this time of Advent that God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to be the Light of the world -- our Light.
Brightly beams our Father’s mercy,
From His lighthouse evermore,
But to us He gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.
From His lighthouse evermore,
But to us He gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.
Let the lower lights be burning!
Send a gleam across the wave!
Some poor struggling, fainting seaman
You may rescue, you may save.
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