Thursday, December 24

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.”

THE GLORY OF ZION
On Christmas Eve, we pause to consider the star that rose over Bethlehem, marking the birth of the Savior of the world. This storied star stands out among all the constellations that ever adorned the night, for it was the beacon that guided the sages of the east to the city of David where God compressed Himself into our mortal dust. The enormity of that event is captured in Elihu Vedder's 1880 painting, The Star of Bethlehem. In it we find the commonplace things of this world; mountains, trees, animals and people, juxtaposed with the light of that singular star illuminating the clouds to reveal a heavenly host gazing down on the wondrous birth below.

Upon the marvel of this night, let us ponder the thoughts of that celestial throng amid the clouds. What melancholy gripped the hearts of that heavenly array? They know well the majesty of that tiny infant born in low estate amid the dirt and stench of a barn. He is their King, their source of eternal light and life with whom they commune in endless bliss. There was no pomp to welcome Him, the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, the everlasting Father. What sorrow is theirs as they see Him pass from their presence and enter the dark and doom of our fallen world? But such is the price paid for our redemption. 

It is fitting that in the stillness of this special evening we step away from the gaudy light and garish glitter of our modern Christmas clamor to think upon that wondrous star that silently heralded our salvation. What can it teach us, so many ages since last it shown upon the earth? Perhaps its softer gleam tells us something about the gentle light of grace so needed in a hurting world. That natal starlight does not shout nor scream its message of redemption. Rather, it woos us to come into an aloneness and intimacy with the Savior who is the light of the world. Its silent light bespeaks the persistent love of Him that surrendered paradise for a season of sorrow to dwell among us and rescue us from sin's hopelessness. Its timeless message is that our hurting hearts can be healed by the gentle light and love of our Redeemer. That healing empowers us to minister to a world still groaning for release from the thrall of darkness and death. In Christ's ultimate example of humility, we learn that we serve Him not through grand gestures but through small and mundane acts of love and charity.

So let us arise, shine, and bring the light of Jesus into the world just as the Christmas star did so long ago. Indeed, our light has come.

PRAYER
Almighty God, who hast manifest thy Son Jesus Christ to be the Light of the World to all mankind: grant that we thy people, being nourished by thy Word, may be strengthened to shine forth to all men the unsearchable riches of Christ, so that He may be known, adored and obeyed, to the ends of the earth; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
Amen.
(Church of South India)

Gregg Geary, Dean of the Library