Devotion - December 6, 2023

 Could we dare dream of this?

Darkness

Cold, silent loneliness.
We walk in darkness.
Above us, the stars are silent
In their wandering across the sky.
Unmindful of us.
The streets are dark,
With no echo of hope.

Of what do we dream?
What impossible thought walks with us?

We walk in a land of deep darkness
And we can barely believe our eyes
We are startled by the light,
Shining onto us.
Shining into us.
Shining through us.

In a small forgotten village
Among a people never forgotten by their God
Was born a savior.
A baby.
A child of man born to save the children of God.
How can it be?
Could we dare to dream of this?

We sleep, while angels watch
We doubt, while heavenly hosts praise the glory of the birth.
Even the stars sing of this holy appearance of hope.
We dare not hope,
And yet we pray,
That our sin would be removed.
That light would enter into our lives
As the baby was born into a stable.

For a child is born
Unto us, a people in darkness.
His son is given to us.
How can it be?
Could we ever dream of this?

We dare not speak his name,
And yet it whispers in our hearts,
And explodes from our mouths.
Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace.
Tiny, tiny baby.
Savior of the world.

The light shines.
Born of Mary,
Born of God.
And with him peace is born
Peace beyond our understanding
Peace.
On his shoulders rides
Justice and righteousness
And we are brought into eternal light
By his love.

Could we ever have dreamed it?
Could we ever have imagined such a hope?
Come to us,
Abide with us
Our Lord, Emmanuel

Inspired by Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 and O Little Town of Bethlehem. 

Kim Matthews