Devotion for the Monday of the Fourth Week in Advent

Theme for the week: peace

Devotion for the monday of the fourth Week in Advent (Day 23)

Reading: Isaiah 9:1–7 (NRSV)

¹ But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. ² The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined. ³ You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. ⁴ For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. ⁵ For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. ⁶ For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

REFLECTION:

“The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light!!” This passage from Isaiah is our Old Testament reading on Christmas Eve each year. There is something particularly moving about hearing this read in a darkened and candlelit church. The words verbalize the feelings that, at least occasionally, cross our own hearts and minds.

We are those people. We often walk in a kind of darkness—a darkness of soul, a darkness of mood, or a darkness that arises from the sinful nature of humankind. We see poverty, we see crime, we see homelessness and hunger, yet at the same time we see those who have too much of everything. We can feel darkness and despair at the inequity, war, crime and poverty that we see around us.

Yet in the midst of this darkness, we are people who have seen a great light. We are blessed by knowing the Light that is Christ. We have heard the words spoken by Jesus’ mother Mary before his birth. The poor will be lifted up and the hungry will be fed. The Kingdom of God is at hand. The light will prevail. In that light that is Christ, look around you for the signs of hope and peace. The signs of the lame walking, the blind seeing, the hungry be fed and the homeless being given shelter.

“The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light!!”

PRAYER:

Pray that the Light which is Christ might brighten your life and reveal to you the coming of God’s Kingdom. May that Light show you the signs of hope and peace. May that Light brighten your path as you seek to live in the Kingdom of God. Amen