The dark before the dawn

“Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”—Psalm 30:5

Today is Christmas Eve. Imagine you are Mary: for nine months you, an unwed virgin, have been carrying a child conceived by God, who will be the savior of all people. Right before this child is to be born, Caesar calls for a census, forcing you and your betrothed to make a long journey on foot to his ancestral hometown, and when you finally arrive there in Bethlehem you find that there is no place for you to stay. Then you go into labor. In a time when childbirth is far more dangerous than it is in our present day, you must bring the most important person to have ever lived safely into this world while sheltering in a stable where farm animals sleep. Yet this darkest hour precedes the dawn of the brightest day, when the culmination of God’s promises for His people breaks through the night with the light of His glory manifest in His son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Whatever our fears and doubts, God is always faithful to provide, just as He was faithful to Mary.

This Christmas Eve, let’s:

• Remember that even in our darkest hours, God is with us and His promises stand.

• Pray that God would strengthen our faith in Him.

• Look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises to us His people, remembering that He is faithful to provide.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for being a God who is faithful and cares for us in even our lowest moments. Help us to grow strong in faith in You, so that we may serve You better. Help us to always lean on You for peace when the world comes against us, and remind us that You are always good and will provide for all that we need.

Amen.

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