A Hope Eternal - Advent DevotionalSample

Mary shouted aloud and sang for joy, safe in the knowledge of the Light cuddling in her womb. How joyously she proclaimed the greatness of God, forecasting the arrival of the ancient promise so long in coming. The world must know, must rejoice with her, must embrace their imminent salvation.

Mary shouted but not for joy. In the grip of excruciating, unrelenting labor pain; struggling to birth the Light into the darkness of the world (an unrecognized portent of pain to come) until she finally felt the joy of cradling the Light of redemption in her arms—the world slow to awaken to the hope—the longed-for arrival of the Christ. Angels shouted aloud and sang for joy, but only a handful heard, only a scant few came, and even they wondered what it all meant, their joyous marvel a mere whisper on the landscape of humanity.

Mary wept in silent grief as the blood flowed from Messiah’s side, devastated as He drew His final breath. The world shouted in anger, the earth shaking violently, torrents of pelting rain deluging the world with grief—a visible requiem of broken promise as darkness extinguished the Light. Bewildered believers huddled in darkened rooms, confused and afraid.

And then. Skittering whispers of truth begin. Angels appear. Mary Magdalene can scarcely believe even in His presence. Light has broken the bonds of death and banished darkness forever. He’s risen, she tells the disciples. They see Him too. They are filled with awe, joyous in the knowing, barely able to take it in, much less shout aloud or sing for joy. They can only marvel at the greatness of the Holy One of Israel among them. And then He is gone. Until. Until the Holy Spirit comes upon them, gift of the Christ, powerful presence of Light in the world.

Mary once again shouts aloud and sings for great joy. Still, the world is slow to grasp the fait accompli, to recognize the Light. They see glimpses of the Light. They long for the Light even when they don’t know it. The disciples bear witness to the Light, boldly sharing the joyous truth, shining the Light into dark corners of the world, proclaiming the greatness of the Holy One of Israel who lives among us now, vanquishing the darkness and leading us to eternal joy and fellowship.

Prayer

Lord God, help us savor the joy of Your presence, to consistently be aware of Your Light within us. Grant us the grace of holding on to Your Light even in the midst of pain and suffering. Enable us to continually let Your Light shine through us into the darkness of this present world, making a way for those in darkness to come to You. Help us as Your Church to shout aloud and sing for joy in witness to the greatness of the God Who is with us, for us, and among us. Amen.

Esther Gillie, D.Min., serves as dean of Regent University Library and adjunct faculty member for the Regent University School of Divinity.