Why This Theme?
The Dawn From On High - Part Two
Saturday, November 30
Dawn is Easy to Miss
Most of us sleep right through the dawn of each morning’s light. Even when I’m determined to observe and experience a sunrise, I often miss it. There’s nothing but pitch black darkness on the eastern horizon, with no hope in sight, then ever-so-slowly, at a snail’s pace, a line of light emerges. I will often question my ability to detect the light. Did I make that up? Are my eyes playing tricks on me? And those questions and doubts only enter my mind the couple of mornings a year when I’m actually interested in watching the sunrise.
For Zechariah, Elizabeth, all of Israel and the world, just a few short months after Zechariah’s proclamation, The Dawn From On High is born in a dark, dank, dirty stable to a virgin teenage girl and her fiancé. Other than some shepherds who were told by angels to go and visit the new baby and up to two years later, wise men who follow the light of Bethlehem’s Star to worship the toddler, Jesus enters our world in the most nondescript way and goes relatively unnoticed.
Wait a minute! I don’t know about you, but this doesn’t seem in keeping with the theme I have in my head! At every party I’ve ever hosted, the carefully planned theme is obvious, completely taking over our home, our kitchen, even our clothing for that day. Yet the promised Messiah’s entry into the world was subtle, ever-so-gradual. If you weren’t paying attention, just like me looking for the sunrise, you would miss it completely.
Later, Jesus would confirm this theme of light to His followers, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) The Dawn From On High had risen to full noonday, and still many could not recognize Him. He didn’t fit into the messianic theme they expected. Many didn’t have eyes to see.
The Apostle Peter was one who did have eyes to see, albeit with blurry vision at first. He later encouraged believers to pay attention to the promises prophesied and fulfilled in Christ, “We also have the prophetic word strongly confirmed, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (2 Peter 1:19, emphasis mine)
As we enter this Advent season with the theme The Dawn From On High woven through each day of this devotional, let’s determine not to miss every glimpse of light God has provided for us in His Word.
Blessings,
Gay B Brown