The Dawning
Matthew 1:18-20a; 24 "This is how the birth of
Jesus Christ came about; His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph,
but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy
Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to
expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after
he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and
said, Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your
wife....when Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took Mary home as his wife." NIV
It had been a long day. It commenced at 3:30 a.m. when I was called into the
jail and was just ending now at 5:30 p.m. Ending was not exactly the right word
however as my daughter had taken over at the detention centre, as I left, which
meant I still had all the evening barnyard and house chores to do on my own.
I had finished feeding the dogs, collecting, washing and depositing the eggs in
the fridge and forking hay to livestock. Now I was standing in the dusky
drizzling wet. Weary and worn, feeling every one of my 62 plus years and very
much alone, I was waiting for the water trough to top up, when something
unexpected occurred. A warm, soft head nudged under my hand as brown eyes looked
up into mine. Denby my collie, sensing my discouragement and frustration had
come alongside to offer his support. With this loving gesture also came the
dawning of renewed truth. Just as Denby stood so faithfully beside me, so did
God’s ever present Spirit. I was not alone. God understood my situation and
would continue to supply all I needed to accomplish the tasks at hand, just as
he always had in the past. With this dawning the warmth and invigorating power
of His inner peace quickly routed all feelings of frustration and weariness of
heart.
Many years ago, the earthly father of Jesus must also have felt deeply
discouraged, frustrated, weary and very much alone, as he wondered what to do
when he discovered his beloved Mary was pregnant with another’s child. God’s
reminder to him that he was not alone came through the guise of a dream. As
Joseph slept God’s presence came alongside, revealing the right pathway for him
to follow and filling his heart with invigorating power and peace to obey.
Emmanuel, God with us, was the child whom Joseph was called to care for as his
own. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, come to earth that man might never again be
alone, separated from God.
This Christmas season you may be in the midst of feeling discouraged, weary,
frustrated and very much alone, but this need not be so. Emmanuel, God with us,
is right where you are whatever you may be doing, however you may be feeling.
And within this precious truth lies the dawning of invigorating power and
everlasting peace within, if only we will reach out in faith and embrace
Him...Emmanuel, God with us.
Prayer: Father God thank you that through your Holy Spirit, the living Christ is
always near, ready and waiting to bestow His power and peace that passes
understanding upon us, for the asking. Grant us faith to ask now. In Christ’s
name we pray. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
lynnephipps@hotmail.com
Atlin, BC