Advent 25- Light in the Dark

December 21

Read Isaiah 21:11 & 12, 40:21 & 22, 28 – 31

It is the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. Here, in the farthest northern reaches, the only light to be found comes from the stars or is reflected by the moon. But we do not wait for God in darkness. We have heard, we know, our hope is not a cross your fingers hope, it is a sure inheritance of life paid for on the cross of Christ. For those in the southern hemisphere who live under the constellation of the Southern Cross, it is the longest day, a sweet for-taste of the unending joy that waits for believers. 

The hymn, ‘Watchman, Tell Us of the Night’ begs not only to hear the promises of God, but also to hear the signs that Christ is come, He is here among us now.

 

Watchman, tell us of the night, What its signs of promise are, 

Traveler, o’er yon mountain’s height, See that glory beaming star.

Watchman, does its beauteous ray Aught of joy or hope foretell?

Traveler, yes, it brings the day, Promised cay of Israel.

Watchman, tell us of the night; Higher yet that star ascends.

Traveler, blessedness and light, Peace and truth its course portends.

Watchman, will its beams alone Gild the spot that gave them birth?

Traveler, ages are its own; See, it bursts o’er all the earth.

Watchman, tell us of the night, For the morning seems to dawn.

Traveler, darkness takes its flight, Doubt and terror are withdrawn.

Watchman, let thy wanderings cease; Hie thee to thy quiet home,

Traveler, Lo! The Prince of Peace, Lo! The Son of God is come!

For the Family:

There are two symbols for this day. A dark disc marked with small stars shaped like crosses is the sky of promise for Christians who live in a dark world while waiting for the light of Christ. The second symbol is the constellation The Southern Cross on a dark disc. Hang these symbols on your Tree of Promise and know that Christ is with you now and always. In your thanks-giving prayer rejoice that even in the darkest hours, Christ’s light shines for you.

Bible Journaling:

Advent 25
Light in the Dark
Isaiah 21:11-12
Bible Journaling
Connie Denninger

From the Kitchen:

Skillet Cookies

• In skillet melt 2 TBS butter. 
• Add 1 cup of chopped dates and stir well. 
• Beat 2 eggs well. 
• Add 1 cup sugar to eggs and continue beating until thick and lemon colored. 
• Add to date mixture and cook over low heat for 5 minutes stirring constantly until it thickens like heavy syrup. 
• Remove from heat and add 2 cups Rice cereal, 1 cup nuts, and 1 tsp vanilla. 
• Shape by a spoon full and roll in coconut.

When I took these to a party at work a lot of my friends said, “I remember these! My mother used to make them.” I don’t remember Mom making them, but they were clearly a southern favorite.

By the 21^st there was egg nog in the refrigerator. Egg nog from the dairy, not home made. It was almost like drinking ice cream.  To those of us who grew up before freezers were common place ice cream was a luxury reserved for the ice cream parlor, the ice cream truck, or an ice cream maker. None of those were winter treats. Egg nog and a cookie or two was the winter equivalent and we loved it.

Tree of Promise Devotions

Natalie Grace Hartwig