December 13 | Matthew 4:12-17

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DAILY READING

Matthew 4:12-17

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REFLECTION

A Light Has Dawned

By Carmel Elmer

“The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned”

Boom!!  Drop the Mic!

For centuries, the Jewish people had waited in anticipation for the promised Messiah to come and rescue them.  Generation after generation, they had been oppressed, exiled, returned to Jerusalem, conquered…and the cycle just seemed to continue over and over again.  And then, in walks Jesus of Nazareth, a carpenter by trade, a simple man who speaks of love, compassion, forgiveness, and repentance came and made such a difference.  He WAS the long-awaited savior of the world and yet, most did not recognize him.  They questioned him, tested him, criticized him and, well, we all know the story.  It begs the question: Would we recognize him if he showed up at church one Sunday, or at Starbuck’s, or the grocery store, or knocked on our door asking if we wanted a free roof inspection?

Years ago, I read a book entitled Joshua written by Joseph Girzone and the author presented this very scenario.  I don’t remember all the details, but the book poses this very question:  If Jesus came again would we recognize him, how would we treat him, and would we listen and learn from him?   I have to admit those questions challenge me.

We all know how hard waiting is.  Whether we are waiting in line at the BMV, waiting for a test result, waiting to meet that special someone to spend our life with, waiting to become a parent, or any number of other things we might be waiting for; we can approach waiting in any number of ways.  The older I get, the more I realize that times of waiting are opportunities for greatest growth and the season of Advent is one of those opportunities to really consider if I am waiting well.

The word advent comes from the Latin word adventus which means “arrival”.  I think this year, I want to approach Advent in a more intentional way.  What if we all approach this season as if we are waiting for the arrival of Christ in a new way?  What if we look for him in our daily life?  Would we recognize him in the eyes of a stranger, the waitress at a restaurant we frequent, the person begging on the street, or even in ourselves?

“The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned”

Let’s all be that light to the people around us who are living in darkness.  Isn’t that what Christianity is really about?

Boom!!! Mic Drop!

PRAYER

Lord, in this season of Advent, help us to wait in eager anticipation for your arrival; but as we wait, show us how to be a source of light to a world in darkness around us.  Give us eyes to see you in others, ears to hear your truth, and hearts to understand what it means to share your light as we wait well for you to come again.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CARMEL ELMER

I have attended UALC for nearly 25 years, but faith has always been at the center of my life. My mom was an incredible role model, demonstrating a trust in God that surpassed any circumstance. I will always be grateful for her incredible example of faith, and I pray that one day, my children will say the same about me.