Daily Devotional December 16, 2020

Two thousand years ago, political conspiracies were everywhere.  People lived under the constant threat of violence, hunger, poverty, and illness.  The world was a tired, angry place.

Today, political conspiracies are everywhere.  People live under the constant threat of violence, hunger, poverty, and illness.  The world is a tired, angry place.

Two thousand years ago, something changed.

On a cold night, a young mother gave birth to her first child in a drafty barn.  There were no doctors or nurses in attendance.  The only ones there were the child’s stepfather and farm animals.  The rest of the world was silent and tired.

But the universe refused to let this child come into our world in silence.

As shepherds stood in the cold, protecting their flocks, the dark night’s sky suddenly filled with angels celebrating something had changed in our tired, angry world.  The One to bring light into the darkness had come.  And the world became a less tired, less angry place because perfect love had come.

As you look at everything that seems to be going in the wrong direction, remember what happened two thousand years ago.  While on a superficial level, it looks like nothing has change.  In reality, everything has changed.  It changed because of a baby born in the humblest of conditions.

This is what Isaiah meant by saying,
“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….
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.
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. “(Isaiah 9:2 & 6-7)

This morning open your heart to the Light of Love.  Celebrate that even though there are dark times, there is One who transcends the darkness and brings us hope in the midst of despair, peace in the midst of turmoil, and healing in the midst of pain. 

God did all of this because he loves us.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, thank you for sending your Son to save us.  Please use me to bring joy and peace to those struggling in this tired, cold world.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

The temptation is to look around at everything that’s wrong and say nothing has changed.  But the good news is that everything has changed.  That’s because we know how the story begins, but more importantly, we know how it ends.  Love wins.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins