December 23: Desperation

“...to shine on those living in darkness, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke 1:79

Christmas is a season of overabundance for many. We inundate ourselves with a warm fire, too much food, too much family, and too many presents. Like most things American- we like to go big!

I’m not saying big is not wrong, and I love Christmas heartily. But if we lose sight of Jesus, the joy of Christmas becomes temporal.

Surrounded by people, success, money (etc.) you can still feel alone, depressed, or hopeless. Without Jesus, humans are truly in a desperate state.
When Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist refers to Jesus’s coming in Luke, he highlights this truth. Without Jesus humanity was living in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Christmas is the coming of Jesus, our Savior who rescues us from this darkness, and brings us into the light! (Matthew 4:16) How amazing is that? Praise God!

Before Jesus, I turned to many different things to find meaning, and I did find happiness, but quickly found it to be fleeting. How desperate were you before you came to know Jesus? What things did you use to try and fill the God-shaped hole in you? Consider what Jesus liberated you from when you first asked him to come into your life. Praise him for it today!

While we are now Children of the Light, may we also not lose that hunger for Jesus. Would we be desperate for more of him daily (John 8:12). His Word, His presence, His will. Would we be desperate for those around us living in darkness (1 Peter 2:9).

Would we live each day with an understanding of the life we came from and the life we are headed to. Would we love those around us with an understanding that they are living in darkness, but we can call them to the light (John 1:5).

Break out a cardboard box and make a Shadow Puppet Theatre with your kids today. It’s a great activity if you’re stuck inside.

Written by: Mary Weinstein

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