Walking Towards Peace - Advent Devotional Day 27

Scripture
“'This is a sign for you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said, 'Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.' When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, 'Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.'” - Luke 2:12-15

Reflection
Okay, I’ll admit it. I’m the guy walking his dog wearing a headlamp. That’s me! And it’s not a fashionable look for probably anyone, least of all me. But it helps provide me with a sense of being able to see a bit more clearly and—maybe more importantly—to be seen a bit more easily on these dark way-too-early northern hemisphere days surrounding the solstice.

One of my favorite things is hiking. I particularly enjoy hiking when the weather is nice or when we’re on a family vacation in a national part. These late afternoon December walks around the neighborhood with my dog, while adorned with the headlight—while not my ideal—is at least the same activity I enjoy.

I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes by Howard Thurman, one of my all-time favorite theologians. He writes, in his book Meditations of the Heart, that “Whatever may be the tensions and the stresses of a particular day, there is always lurking close at hand the trailing beauty of forgotten joy or unremembered peace.” This provides me with the peace in acknowledging that even though this day’s darkness-laden hike is not my ideal, it’s not far off. There is forgotten joy and unremembered peace in the mundane! Praise God.

And herein lies my word of hope . . . discovered yet again in mysterious and forgotten places like the Christ in a manger two thousand years ago. So may we find these joys and may we remember this peace in the day-to-day activity which we may take for granted. May we feel the cool, fresh air enliven our lungs. And may we seek to live out for others the hope and peace that was revealed in Jesus. May we, too—like the shepherds—be excited to discover what God is continuing to do in our midst even unto this day . . . even while wearing headlamps.

Prayer
In the ho hum of today, I will pause to remember and avail myself to joy – even if it’s sloppy, clumsy, and not so fashionable. Amen.