December 2: Light and Power for All
♫ Music:
The Messiah is Savior of All
Scripture: Isaiah 49:6b
I will make you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.
Annunciation
by John Donne
Salvation to all that will is nigh;
That All, which always is all everywhere,
Which cannot sin, and yet all sins must bear,
Which cannot die, yet cannot choose but die,
Lo, faithful virgin, yields Himself to lie
In prison, in thy womb; and though He there
Can take no sin, nor thou give, yet He will wear,
Taken from thence, flesh, which death's force may try.
Ere by the spheres time was created, thou
Wast in His mind, who is thy Son and Brother;
Whom thou conceivst, conceived; yea thou art now
Thy Maker's maker, and thy Father's mother;
Thou hast light in dark, and shutst in little room,
Immensity cloistered in thy dear womb.
LIGHT AND POWER FOR ALL
A few times every year the power will go out in our neighborhood. Occasionally a car hits a power pole, or an errant squirrel will hit a transformer. Not good for the driver, the neighborhood, nor the squirrel. But whatever the cause, it has left the entire block very quiet, very dark, and a little creepy. In just a few short minutes you begin to see the neighbors opening their front doors to see if this strange anomaly is affecting only their house, or if their friends along the street are experiencing similar discomfort. Then the flashlights and candles start to appear in homes, where families gather together to comfort each other in the loss of what we have come to expect, and value! Light and power! Eventually the power is restored and the light returns bringing comfort back to the neighborhood. But the wait reminds us of what is missing when we don’t have it!
We are living in an amazingly dark world that feels like it’s getting darker with each passing year. Every corporate failure, leadership’s moral failure, or attack on our faith and the core of what we believe to be biblically right, reminds us that this world is not our home. It is easy to quickly lose hope and huddle together in the dark, wishing the lights would come back on! Sometimes we remain alone in the dark, cold, afraid and lonely, unaware of the others experiencing the same oppressive darkness that this cold world can provoke. Perhaps even more tragic, is an unawareness that those who are connected to the power and the light might be right next door and willing to encourage and share amazing gifts with us.
So what is the answer to a dark and powerless life?
The promise made here in Isaiah 49:6b “I will make you as a light to the nations that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth,” is one that brings a bright hope to the darkest of situations. The good news, and bright light that arrived that first Christmas morning was one of hope then, and remains one of great hope today. And, it is a promise for all eternity that the Christ, the Son of God has arrived to bring the gift of light and salvation to the entire world.
Are you in need of a little light and power in your life? Then seek out and ask of the One who has promised to be and give light, hope and promise to all nations! The promise is there and the power and light are ready to be received! And, if you are a child of the King, fully enjoying the presence and light of our Savior, consider how you might share that light with others in darkness this Christmas season! There is no greater gift you can give!
Prayer
Father, thank you for your promise to make us a reflection of the light and power you provide! Our prayer today is to become light to the nations. We know this is your desire for us. Give us opportunity this Christmas season to serve you, in our communities, in our country, and around the world. Make us reconcilers and lovers of all those you care for. In our Savior, Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.
Rick Bee
Sr Director, Alumni/Parent Relations
An International Intersection
Larry Thompson
Oil on canvas panels
About the Artist and Art:
Larry Thompson is a native of El Paso,Texas, and has served as Professor and Chair of Art at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, since moving to the area in 2007. He was appointed Associate Dean of the Samford School of the Arts in 2014. Prior to that he taught at universities in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Thompson is active with Space One Eleven Art Space, an artist-run, visual arts organization in Birmingham, AL. Thompson was one of 10 American artists who joined 10 African artists for a life changing cross-cultural experiment in the summer of 2013. We’re the Same Tribe was created after this 3 week creative immersion experience in South Africa.
http://www.artbylarrythompson.com
About the Music:
“Emmanuel “(God Has Come To Us)
Lyrics:
Come shepherds, come wise-men,
Both rich and poor alike,
Come Hebrews, come Gentiles,
Come every race and tribe,
For Christ is born the Savior's come to us!
Come children, come elders,
Come women and come men,
Come families, come orphans,
Come strangers and close friends,
For Christ is born the Savior's come to us!
Come wretched, come holy,
Both strong and weak in faith,
Come healed and come broken,
Come sinners and come saints,
For Christ is born the Savior's come to us!
Emmanuel, God has come to us!
About the Composer and Performers:
Marty Reardon is currently the worship pastor at Trinity Anglican Mission in Atlanta, GA. Reardon has written some wonderfully inventive music for contemporary, liturgical worship. He is an ordained Anglican priest and holds a Masters of Worship Studies from The Robert Webber Institute where he is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Worship Studies. Both Marty and his wife Jen are gifted songwriters who have recorded a number of worship projects.
About the Poet:
John Donne (1572-1631) One of England’s most gifted and influential poets, Donne was so respected by his followers that they thought him “a king that ruled as he thought fit/the universal monarchy of wit.” Raised a Roman Catholic, Donne later converted to Anglicanism, though his sensibility--as indicated in his late Christian poetry seems always to have remained with the Roman Church. Unable to find civil employment, Donne was eventually persuaded of his calling and took Anglican orders in 1615. Acclaimed for his brilliant sermons, he was soon appointed Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral. He is considered the pre-eminent representative of the metaphysical poets.