Tuesday, July 13, 2021
Today’s Scripture
Today’s Author
Rebekah LeMon
We read these words from John’s Gospel every Christmas Eve at First Presbyterian Church, dimming the sanctuary lights until we are in darkness except for the light of the Christ candle on the chancel. We then light individual candles, each person sharing a bit of light with the next person. As we watch and wait, light spreads through the room, not from any of the overhead fixtures, but because each of us becomes a holder of the light from the Christ candle. As we lift our candles, we sing together:
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
We have felt the power of light breaking through darkness. Love’s pure light, bringing us a new dawn through grace. This ritual reminds us that the world’s darkness (and our own) is pierced by the incarnation, as God comes to earth as Jesus the Christ. This one perfect human being is the light of the world; Jesus comes to show us truth and shower us with grace upon grace. But even in its darkness, the world didn’t know or accept the one who was light. It’s easy to look for light in a dark room on a joyful, holy night. But how about in mid-summer? Are we still watching and waiting for the light? It is still ours, friends, to receive as a gift and to carry out to share with the world.
Summer Devotional
God Goes With Us
This summer’s devotional is a walk through the Bible. Join our pastors and staff for daily reflections on scripture passages from Genesis to Revelation. In the beginning, God said, “I will be your God and you will be my people.” Come and see how this covenant promise changes through time yet remains steadfast from generation to generation.
Each Sunday, Chris Holmes will share a short message on the texts for the week, and written reflections will go out every Monday through Thursday morning.
We wish you blessings and deeper faith this summer!
