Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Search Archive Print This Article Turning toward the east Monday, December 24, 2012 Luke 1:57-79 Regaining his voice, Zechariah spoke to his baby son John, "You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace." The four purple candles are lit. But still the large white candle in the middle of them all remains dark. Before ubiquitous electricity changed our experience of the elements, candles showed the way to warm robes of fur and down in which we wrapped ourselves and huddled before fires before we fell asleep. The short days and long nights of winter do continue for awhile, but the white candle lit promises all good things. Read Zechariah's words and remember that his words have been tended and treasured and finally nursed into sound after months of silence, months of listening, months of learning how loved he is by the God he serves. On this day before Christmas, I know the light is coming. It's close enough now, this coming, that I want to hold my breath and listen with every cell. Not miss a single second of his coming. There will be angel's voices. And on this day before the Day, Lord, open my eyes to you and my ears to you. Not tomorrow, but today. Not later, but now. "; Add      Edit    Delete