The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
John 1:9 (ESV)
Lord, funny but I have not heard a lot of Christmas carols this year. Maybe it is because I have not been to the malls, outlet stores, or big box stores. Or maybe it is because the season has become so “commercial” that they have kicked to the curb the “Why” of the celebration. Or maybe the problem is me. Just maybe I have really been focused on the “stuff” I believe I have to get done before the close of this year, too consumed with my list to pay attention to my surroundings. Despite all this, my heart has been intentional to reflect upon how my life was, is, and will be changed because You graced not only this world with Your incarnation, but also my life.
And Lord, it was against this backdrop that my heart began to get a little happy when I read this verse today. The words of a song we sang at church resonated in my spirit, our gospel variation on that Christmas carol, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”:
Hark the herald angels sing (Jesus, the Light of the world).
Glory to our newborn King (Jesus, the Light of the world).
Walk in the Light.
The beautiful Light.
Come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright.
Shine all around us by day and by night.
Jesus, the Light of the world.
As these words pranced around in my head, my spirit resonated with them, glorying in You, declaring “yes” and “amen” to the invitation to “come.” My soul fluttered as I heard in that invitation that old hymn of the church,
I come to the garden alone,
while the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
Lord, that is my prayer today, my heart’s ambition, my soul’s longing: to walk in Your light, to dwell in that blessed garden with You! It is my life’s aim to bask in Your glory, experience the fullness of Your presence, be wiped clean of all iniquity, purified by Your Word, and stand in presence, my heart exceedingly joyous, forever! It is there that I am at peace, filled with Your joy unspeakable. There, I see my life most clearly, my deepest desires and longings most realized.
So shine around me today, Lord! When I engage with that stranger in the street, shine! When I am carrying out my chores, shine! When I’m just sitting still in the moment, shine! As my soul anticipates the celebration of Your glorious arrival amongst us and with us, open my eyes that I might behold Your glory, “the glory as of the only begotten of the Father” full of grace and truth! To Your Name be the praise! Amen!