SCRIPTURE: “The people who have walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.”[Isaiah 9:2]
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say that day: “Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, and proclaim that his name is exalted.”[Isaiah 12:2-4]
Growing up in Northern New York we had a family tradition (if the weather permitted) that arose from a childish question of one of us, “Did the same star that shines on Christmas Eve for us shine on the birth of the baby Jesus? My father would back the car out of the garage and place blankets on the trunk or tailgate. We would bound out of the warm house wrapped in blankets to sit with my mom and dad while staring at the sky full of stars and try to pick out THE BABY JESUS STAR. The bright starlight on the glistening snow lit up the world around us as we were sure it did for the wise men seeking the baby Jesus at his birth and the shepherds in the fields watching over their sheep. My dad read the Christmas story from the Bible. My mom would have hot chocolate ready and we would sing our favorite Christmas carols. When our parents felt the time was right my mom would give us a candle and my dad would light hers, then ours. We would sing, “Happy Birthday”, to Jesus and tromp off to our warm beds.
I will trust that star will forever shine its light on the world letting its people know not to be afraid. The Lord is our strength. And as we raise our voices in song around the world, and light candles of the season we are reminded to “Give thanks to the Lord and his birth, call upon his name and proclaim his name in exaltation! For unto us a savior was born!”
I pray when you find yourself in the position to help someone, be happy and feel blessed because God is answering that person’s prayer through you. Remember: Our purpose on earth is not to get lost in the dark but to be a light to others, so that they may find a way through us. God bless. (Alberto Casing)
May the light of our Lord shine on you and yours.
PRAYER: Dearest God, thank you for the gift of light that shines in stars and in our hearts as we share this joyous season. Amen
June Masters
Join in our photo-a-day devotional to show us what makes your light shine and/or how you share your light with others. Just use #trinitylightshine to be part of the celebration.
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Dan Johnson. 352-317-4409
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