by 
Thursday, December 8
Radiant beams from thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace.
From Silent Night
by Jeff G.
Silent Night is my favorite Christmas hymn. I have wonderful memories of singing it by candlelight at Christmas Eve services across the years.
When I became a dad, Silent Night took on new meaning for me. It became the gentle lullaby I sang to our baby, Mallory, as she drifted off to sleep in my arms at night.
Even as I enjoy singing Silent Night to another beautiful baby for the first time this Christmas, the words of this precious hymn remind me that the Advent season is one of preparation for and reflection on God’s greatest gift. Christ’s birth indeed represents the dawn of God’s new covenant.
It is the dawn of redemption for loving God less than we love the smaller things of this world. It is the dawn of grace—the love of God poured out to us that is neither deserved nor earned but rather is presented as a gift.
As we celebrate Christ’s birth, may we experience again God’s redemptive, gracious love for us. May this dawn of redeeming grace humble our hearts and revive our spirits for lives of grateful service to our loving God.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for your dawn of redeeming grace, sent to us through the precious Christ child. Open our hearts and lives to fully receive your wonderful gift. Amen.
