Advent is a time of light

      Today I was reading Zachariah’s song in Luke 1:67-79 and was encouraged by his song of praise.  Zachariah was the father of John the Baptist and was mute for 9 months prior to John’s birth.  He had questioned the angel who came to tell him of his coming child, who was to be the fore-runner of the Messiah.  The angel silenced him until his child was born.  After John’s birth, Zachariah’s mouth was opened and he praised God for the coming Messiah who would save his people, fulfill all scripture concerning himself, keep all of God’s promises made to his ancestors, and bless his own child with purpose.  The last lines of this song verses 78-79 speak of Jesus.  “because of  the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide feet into the path of peace.”  God in his mercy sent Jesus to bring light to a dark and dying world.  “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12   “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”  John 9:5 and “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” John 12:46

      Christmas is a time for us to reveal God’s light to the world through the manger.  Jesus’ coming to earth brought life and light to a world filled with sinful people needing the light of a Savior.  Have you found the light this season?  Do you look to Jesus and walk in His light?   If you do, tell others.  If you do not know Jesus, ask God for faith to believe and accept His free gift of salvation. “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:9,10,13

Looking to the light today,

Linda

Dawn’s light over the Sea of Galilee is a picture of Jesus’ light coming to a dark world.