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Marvelous Light

In our Advent series this year, Mike begins by reflecting on how the heavens tell of the glory of God. This vast and beautiful universe, bigger than the human mind can conceive, points to a marvelous creator. This same awe-inspiring creator is the one that became human to love and save all of humanity. 

Beginning with Psalm 19:1-4, which speaks of the heavens telling of the glory of God, and continuing with the book of Job, we see that we understand so little of creation. God enters into Job’s ancient worldview and questions him of what he understands to point out that if he can’t even understand the basics of creation how could he understand the complexity of the problem of evil.

In Job’s time the questions God asks would have seemed unanswerable, but from our modern perspective, we have learned much more about how creation works. So, to understand what God is getting at for Job and his audience we begin to explore the grandeur of creation.

In contrast to Job’s worldview, we understand the universe to be filled with innumerable stars (One estimate places the number of stars in the universe at 300 sextillion), that make our sun looks small. The universe is incredibly vast with the known universe stretching some 95 billion light years.  That makes us feel very small! We are inconceivably small in comparison to such a large and magnificent universe. The heavens declare the glory of God. All of this beautiful creation points to God.

The universe speaks to God’s transcendence and testifies to God. God created everything and holds it all in existence with His word. So, if this universe is so amazing, how much more amazing is the God that created it all? What is most amazing is that the God that created everything is that same God that cares about us and went so far as to become one of us. If we are not careful we can lose perspective on the wonderfulness and transcendence of God.

 

1st week of Advent: Hope

I am very grateful that HOPE is the first candle because we are in need of HOPE this week and this year.

HOPE for healing for friends
who are hurting both physically and emotionally.

HOPE for our world
that is broken and bleeding with wars and famine.

HOPE for refugees around the world
who just want a safe place to live.

HOPE for those who are living in fear
and want to build walls rather than bridges.

And I’m grateful for the HOPE that the scriptures point to

Isaiah reminds us that

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2

What hope do you need today?
What things give you hope?
What things help you have hope on dark days?
A sunrise?
A baby’s smile?
A great cup of coffee in the morning?

Make a List and refer to it often.
Take time to find a bit of Hope each day.
How can you plan to see more Light this Advent, rather dwelling in the darkness?
What adds LIGHT to your life?
What can you do to bring LIGHT to your world, your family, your neighbours?
Start by Lighting an actual candle.
What righteousness and justice would you like to see Jesus execute in your land, your life, your neighbourhood?
Set a timer on your phone and pray daily for a place or an area that needs the justice of Jesus and the healing of his righteousness.
Find a globe ornament, add it to your tree to remind you to pray for places around the world that need justice, healing, and hope.

Here’s a prayer to pray during Advent.
Lord God
Calm us as we wait for the Gift of Jesus
Cleanse us to prepare the way for his arrival.
Help us to slow down and prepare our hearts.
Help us to wait and take time to be with you.
Teach us to contemplate the wonder of God with us.
Teach us to know the presence of your Spirit.
Teach us to bear the life of Jesus and live out his Kingdom.
Today and Always.
Amen