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68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. 72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, 73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. 78 By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:68-79 NRSV)
PRAYER REQUEST: This afternoon at 1 pm Central Time, a dear friend, Rob Rocha undergoes oral surgery to remove all of his top teeth and some of his bottom teeth, and replace them with dentures. It's a long process and Rob has asked prayers from us. May God grant him a painless procedure and a comfortable recovery! And a means to help fund that costly process! Prayers for his wife, Pauline, as she tends for him during this time. Also, prayers for my dear friend, The Rev. Bill Henderson, who on this trip is now under the weather; may God heal him and bless his wife Jody with patience as he heals! May God bless you in your needs!
"You Can't Hurt My Feelings! I Used to Hold the Flashlight for my Dad!" I still laugh and want to cry as I read that. I saw that on the famous (Infamous?) Arroyo Cafe signs that speak volumes of truth. Those of you who have held or tried to hold a flashlight for your dad know the truth behind that saying. As hard as I/we tried, it was never quite right! Most dads could only work on their cars after dark, and with daylight savings time changes, a flashlight was crucial for dad to see where to place the bolt on the repair job. And for most kids, holding a light steady was the last thing on their mind. "What am I missing while I'm out here? Is it Friday? Are the Flintstones on? Dang, and I'm out here with my dad trying to fix this old car again? Why don't we just buy a new one??"
Let us not forget that on the day of our birth, our dads were elated with joy! The last thing on our dad's mind was the goofy, shaky hands we would have in our childhood when he tried yet again to fix his car. No sir! "God has blessed me with a child!" Amen and amen! Here in this passage we are reading the words of joy Zechariah expressed on the birth of his son, John. No, he did not know that this baby would grow up to wear camel's skin and eat locusts and honey, but he did know that he would call the people of God to prepare themselves for the coming of the Lord; truly "the prophet of the Most High," who did go forth to preapre the way of the Lord.
We have witnessed truly a moment of profound joy and gratitude, filled with hope for the coming of the Messiah. In these verses, we see Zechariah prophesy about God's promise to redeem Israel and bring salvation to the world through the coming of Jesus.
Zechariah’s song highlights two central themes: God’s faithfulness and the light of salvation. First, he praises God for fulfilling the promises made to the people of Israel, beginning with the covenant made to Abraham. This salvation, he says, will free God's people from their enemies and allow them to serve Him without fear.
But it’s the second part of Zechariah’s song that strikes a chord with the Advent season. He speaks of the dawn from on high breaking upon us—"the light to those who sit in darkness." In a world of shadow and despair, Advent is a season of waiting for the arrival of that very light: the birth of Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world. God's "flashlight" is not in any way shakey! It's a steady, strong beam of light right where it should be.
Advent invites us to reflect on our own darkness. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the uncertainties and struggles of life—the personal hardships, the global challenges, and the everyday shadows that seem to cloud our hearts. Yet, Zechariah’s prophecy reminds us that the light of Christ has already come and is still coming. It’s not just a future hope but a present reality that guides us in the here and now. Just as John the Baptist was called to prepare the way for Jesus, we too are invited to be bearers of that light to others.
In this season of Advent, we wait, but we do not wait passively. We wait with expectation, knowing that the light of Christ is already among us and calling us to walk in that light, to share it with those who still sit in darkness.
PRAYER: Loving God, We thank You for the promise of salvation and the light that shines in our darkness. As we await the celebration of Christ's birth, help us to live in the hope and joy that His coming brings. Illuminate our hearts with Your love, that we might reflect that light to those around us. Give us the courage to step into the shadows with compassion and grace, guiding others to the peace and light that only You can provide. In the name of Jesus, the Light of the World, we pray. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: As we reflect on the promise of light in our lives, consider how you can be a source of light to others this Advent season. Is there someone you know who is struggling with loneliness, grief, or despair? How might you shine the light of Christ’s love into their lives through a simple act of kindness, an encouraging word, or offering a listening ear?
In the busy rush of the season, take a moment each day to pause and reflect on the light that Christ brings to your own life. Let it fill you with peace, and then extend that peace to those around you. This Advent, may we be not only recipients of God’s mercy but also active participants in sharing His light with the world.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
