ARISE AND SHINE!
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1
I heard a quote in a movie the other day. Ideology is peaceful but history is violent. The darkness of this world, starting with the fall of man, has been overwhelming. No matter where we study history, there are stories of unspeakable cruelty.
The differences between the darkness of evil and the light of the glory of God are so stark that I can not even begin to comprehend them. I think I truly get the dark side. I see it every day. But God’s glory? I see only glimmers of it and must wait until heaven to see the full effect.
The Light of the world entered our violent world humbly and quietly. His light was only visible to some but for them, the darkness was eclipsed by the glory of the Son of Man. Those who lived in the time of Jesus’ birth existed under the rule of the Roman Empire, a corrupt and vicious dictator. They suffered in the shadows of evil and languished for their Messiah to come and deliver them. His birth had been preceded by 400 years of silence. Deafening and interminable silence. Never was the light more life saving than when Jesus came to show the world the Father’s face.
God loves to show off His glory. How much more so at Christmastime. How does heaven celebrate the birthday of Jesus? Someday we’ll know but I want to take part in the celebration. I’m asking God to open my spirit wide so that I can feel the impact of heaven’s praise and worship. The re-telling of His birth, captured by the musicians of heaven, has to be stunning.
Show me the hidden gems of Your glory in the Christmas story. Amen
For more from Christine Wyrtzen and Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze, please visit www.daughtersofpromise.org
Originally published Wednesday, 13 December 2023.
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