Devotion Booklets for Seasons of the Church Year 2016 | Page 33

Wednesday—December 21st

O Come, O Morning Star
Malachi 4:2
What joy there will be for those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior from sin, death, and
eternal darkness in hell. Their joy will be like that of young calves in the spring. In cold climates,
young cattle will often be cooped up in barns all winter in order to protect them from the bitter
cold. When they get released from their stalls in the spring, they run and kick and dance all
over the place. Their joy cannot be contained.
That joy will be ours when the Son of Righteousness, God’s Son, returns on the great day we
call Judgement Day. Just as the sun rises and pierces the darkness with light and brings
warmth and life, so it will be when Jesus returns to this world. He will get rid of the darkness
and bring healing and help to his people.
Even now that joy is ours. But we say, “How do I experience that joy today? Darkness looms
around me. Enemies of the faith surround me. Temptations nag at me. The darkness of death
seems everywhere.” Even amidst the gloom there is a glow. Even now, amidst the darkness, we
can see his rays of hope. Do you see the sun of righteousness and his rays of hope? His word
of salvation tells us of his first coming, it pierces the darkness and announces that our guilt is
gone. He heals us of our sin. In the dark days of loneliness, the promises of his presence still
shine brightly. In days of doubt, he warms us with the assurance that our souls are safe and
secure forever.
The light that God promised has come into this world. He is coming again. His name is Jesus.
He brings unending healing and joy.
PRAYER:
Lord, without your light, we grope in darkness. Thank you for directing our eyes to the rays of
hope you give us in Jesus, your Son, our righteousness. Amen.
ACTIVITY:
Sing together the 3rd verse of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing:
Hail, the heav’nly Prince of Peace! Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings, Ris’n with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by, Born that we no more may die,
Born to raise us from the earth, Born to give us second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

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