Thursday, December 24

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

Zechariah 6:1–7:14

Revelation 15:1–8

Psalm 143:1–12

Proverbs 30:24–28

 

 

In today’s reading from Zechariah, we find an inquiry from the people of Bethel to the priests, wondering whether they should continue the ritual of mourning and fasting that had continued over many years.  From the verses that follow, we may gather that these practices had lost their spiritual grounding and had instead devolved into pure ritual.  In short, the people had taken on an attitude of outward obedience, with no inward change.  Their mourning and fasting had become a self-justifying behavior rather than one that sought and honored God’s presence.

 

As a test of their inward nature, Zechariah commanded the people to review their interactions with others:  “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.  Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor.  Do not plot evil against each other.’”  Their lack of justice, mercy, and compassion; their oppression of the vulnerable; and their mistreatment of others highlighted the very real shortcomings of their relationships with God.

 

From this passage, we may gather that their attitude towards these human relationships had become reflective of their inward posture towards God.  This very topic came up recently in a conversation with a friend.  We were discussing whether relationships reflect more on us or others, and I received a strong impression that our relationships – and our approach to them – most significantly reflect on our relationship to God.  When we trust in God and seek to honor Him, we will naturally look to serve and honor His people, created in His image.

 

As we reflect on Zechariah’s words, may we take a careful inventory of our attitude towards others.  How may we better honor the God image in them?  How may we demonstrate the love of Christ?  What steps could you take during your holiday visits with family and friends?  How could you communicate the amazing love of God through sharing about His goodness to you?

 

In the rush of Christmas preparations, there are many opportunities for our focus to wander.  May we take precious moments to recall the silence and humility of that first Christmas:  that a Child would be born to us, whose very nature was “full of grace and truth.”  As we grow older, we recognize the depth of His humility, His unselfish willingness to accept the very human pains of betrayal, hunger, mourning, loneliness, and weakness.  Yet, despite these human challenges, His heart never wavered from holiness, and His punishment has brought us peace with God and with one another.  We worship this Child as King of kings and Lord of lords!

 

 

Lord Jesus, we worship You as King and Lord of our lives.  Give us wisdom to discern how we may slow down to reflect on Your love this Christmastime.  Send us Your Spirit so that we may witness to the lovingkindness that You have shown in our lives by loving others deeply, and from the heart.  Diminish our pride so that we may love intentionally and freely.  We praise You, for You are worthy of all glory, honor, and majesty forever!  In Your Name, amen.

 

 

“O Holy Night” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zh-yR0pbmU)

 

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