A world in darkness. Living in the shadow of death. Longing for the darkness to break. Longing for peace.
That sounds pretty much like 2021, doesn’t it?
A special issue of the Boundless devotionals is now available. Its focus is on God’s love and kindness for a dark world. Because of His tender mercy, the morning light from heaven broke into our darkness to give light to those who live in the shadow of death and to guide us to the path of peace. (Luke 1:78-79)
In this special issue, 31 devotionals remind us of God’s great gift to this dark world.
Order your copy now, so you’re sure to have it to begin on December 1. (Paperback or ebook)
Here’s the meditation for December 1. (And no, there’s not a typo in the first line. The Christmas described really was 2012.)
December 1: In the Dark Streets
His life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 1:4-5 (NLT)
In December 2012, the usual holiday preparations were in full swing when the darkness settled in, heavy and oppressive.
The flu bug arrived in our community and would not leave. Most families were visited by sickness and were forced to adjust schedules and activities; even church services were postponed or canceled. In my family and circle of friends, a series of events left us weary and saddened. Two cars broke down during travel in a snowstorm. Yes, there was snow—so heavy that travel plans had to be changed. A necessary appliance quit working, and a big repair bill dampened spirits. A friend’s mother died. Other friends were in a serious accident. I spent that Christmas Eve in the waiting room while my dad had emergency surgery. And hanging over all of the world was the horrifying evil of a man shooting children at Sandy Hook School.
Every December since then, I have thought about that 2012 Christmas, a month of darkness, disappointment, evil, and death. That year, when Christmas decorations, gifts, and traditions were mostly set aside and ignored, I began to see what really happened in the dark streets of Bethlehem: Christ stepped into our darkness, was willing to live right in it with us, so that He could battle and defeat its power. The real story is light and hope coming to the dark and hopeless places in which we live.
We sing “Joy to the World” every year. There’s one line that now means so much to me, it often brings tears of gratitude and joy: He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found. Jesus brought light to our own dark streets. He came to make all God’s blessings flow into our own cursed darkness.
Joy to the world!