12.13: “Come, Let Us Adore Him”

 

Friday, December 13

“O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain. O thou that tellest good tiding to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, ‘Behold your God!’ “   Isaiah 40:9*

“ ‘Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.’ ”   Isaiah 60:1*

 

A few years ago, while coming to the end of our vacation week in Hilton Head, I realized that I had not seen a full sunrise. So, the next morning I hurried to the beach with rising anticipation. The gloomy gray skies gradually lightened to purple and pink. A faint glimmer of light appeared on the horizon. Then an orange pinprick that grew larger and brighter into a golden orb that kept rising into the sky. The sun’s rays and golden light spread over the sky, and – God’s gift of a new day dawned! I was filled with wonder and awe and could not wait to share the experience.

When I listen to Handel’s Messiah, I feel the same anticipation. We can hear Isaiah’s words urging us to go and boldly share the “good tidings” of Jesus’s birth – God’s gift to the world. As the good tidings spread, I can imagine the sun appearing over the mountains and spreading God’s light far and wide.

  

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the gift of your son Jesus. May we be filled with hope, love and peace as we prepare for His birth day. Amen

Kiran Bilanow