Light Has Come!

I feel moved to share today's reading from She Reads Truth, an online blog/daily devotional for women to read God's word together as a community. You can find them here: http://shereadstruth.com/ The current reading plan is called Emmanuel. I read the devotional email each morning when I get to work and it really starts out my day on a bright note. It was on my heart to share today's devotional...it really helps to remind me of the true meaning of Christmas. 

your light has come Text: Isaiah 60:1-5, John 3:16-21, John 8:12 Arise, Shine! For Your Light Has Come Reflection “We are not left on our own. God is there. How simple and how infinitely wonderful.” - Ramond C. Ortlund, Jr. A candle in a dark room. A baby boy in a stable. Both tell the same truth. Darkness cannot survive where there is light. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12, ESV). Dear Sisters, that star shining above Bethlehem means we no longer have to live in the dark.. That cry in the stable means we are not alone. The light has come, and not to condemn but to save! Our darkness may be thick, but it is forever transformed by the brightness of Christ. Our secrets are no longer secrets. Our shame is no longer hidden. We don’t have to fear our frailty or the dark corners of our hearts. Because of Jesus they have been brought into the light and covered over with redeeming blankets of grace, grace, grace. Advent is a season of preparation, a season for making room in our hearts once again for this simple, profound truth: Christ is the light of men. (And women! And children!) He is coming, He has come, He will come again. And you can stand up, right where you are. Whatever you hold, whatever you dread. Whatever is behind or before or around you. Whatever your condition, just as you are. Arise, shine, for your light has come. Prayer Father, thank you for bringing us into the light. Thank you for Jesus, the Light of the World. Thank you for that night in Bethlehem when Christ became Emmanuel, God with us, and pierced the darkness forever. We will never be the same. Thanks be to God. Amen. Advent Action Light a candle in a dark room and rest in the stillness for a moment. _______________________ For an added layer of worship and study, we chose a beloved Christmas song for each day of our Advent plan. We invite you to listen to Arise, Shine, For Thy Light Is Come today as we dwell on the truth of God’s word together.