Advent Lectionary Reading
Luke 1:68-79
Malachi 3:5-12
Philippians 1:12-18a
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| Morning Light from Heaven is about to break upon us. |
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and
redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his
servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago. Now we
will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us. He has been merciful
to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant—the covenant he swore with
an oath to our ancestor Abraham. We have been rescued from our enemies so we
can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we
live.
And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most
High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people
how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God's
tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give
light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us
to the path of peace. Luke 1:68-79
This scripture foretold the birth of Jesus…in the Family of David…as
the horn of salvation. Jesus, our powerful
Savior. The verses also tell us about John the Baptist who had just been born
to Elizabeth and Zacharias. He was the one predicted to prepare the way of the Lord by giving His people knowledge to
provide light in the darkness and to
guide our feet into the way of peace.
To guide our feet in the way of peace is such an encouraging phrase. Guiding
our feet—showing us the right path to take…making out feet secure. This brings
to mind a couple of scriptures that all young Israelite children probably had
to memorize.
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path. Psalm
119:105
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do
not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he
will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 (underlined for emphasis)
How beautiful on the mountains are the
feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and
salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! Isaiah 52:7
People during Jesus time knew darkness. They didn’t have a little
switch on their walls that allowed them to turn on and off lights whenever they
wanted. They only had oil lamps, candles and torches. There were no
streetlights. When it was dark…it was dark. Sunrise was significant. It
banished the darkness, gloom and scariness of the night. God in His mercy
provides light…physical light and spiritual light—giving hope, security and
thus making available the fulfillment of the basic emotional need of love. God was
implementing His promise. Salvation.
Prayer~ Lord Jesus—You are the light of the world. Shine into and
through my life guiding my footsteps…that others may see You in me. May we
bring You glory and honor all the days of our lives as we follow the path that
You have set before us and we serve You,
God, without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.
Daily Bible Reading ~ 2 Corinthians 10-13
Advent Random Act of Kindness ~ Collect coats for a local shelter.
© 2018 photo and
text by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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