Day 358

Zechariah 6:1–7:14; Revelation 15:1-8; Psalm 143:1-12; Proverbs 30:24-28

ON THIS, THE eve of Christmas and the final day of the Advent season, we are probably each experiencing joy in our hearts and an overwhelming to-do list in preparation for tomorrow’s festivities. Perhaps we’ll be participating in a candlelight celebration this evening, or a midnight service to announce the arrival of Christmas —and the Savior. Thankfully, through all of the flurry of activity before us, we’ve established a rhythm of life rooted in daily interaction with the Scriptures, and today is no different.

In our reading from Zechariah, we continued to hear of the prophet’s visionary experiences while being reminded of the fundamental postures God requires of us:

This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.

Obviously, there are no caveats or blackout dates on this command. And if there were a season to live into them, it would be Christmas —so let’s be sure to “show mercy and kindness to one another.”

In our reading from Revelation, John saw what appeared to be a glassy sea mingled with fire. On this sea were those who had endured. God had given them harps, and they were singing the song of Moses and of the Lamb in worship:

Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty. Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed.

We may not recognize this as a Christmas carol, but it is no less appropriate. At present, we are celebrating the first advent (or arrival) of the Savior, but we are also longing for His return. Through Revelation, we are prophetically hearing worship in advance from the time we long to see —when all will be made new.

Finally, our reading from Psalms gave us a personal plea for God’s guidance:

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Rescue me from my enemies, LORD; I run to you to hide me. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.

On this Christmas Eve, the Scriptures counseled us on our personal postures toward one another, allowed us to enter in to spectacular worship before God on a glassy sea mixed with fire, and reminded us of our personal and perpetual need of God’s presence and guidance every day. Let’s carry these with us into the hours ahead and allow them to lead our hearts into a true celebration of the wonders He has done on our behalf.

MEDITATION:

I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done. I lift my hands to you in prayer. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain.