A Great Light

The people who walked in darkness
   have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
   on them light has shined.
You have multiplied the nation,
   you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
   as with joy at the harvest,
   as people exult when dividing plunder.
For the yoke of their burden,
   and the bar across their shoulders,
   the rod of their oppressor,
   you have broken as on the day of Midian.
For all the boots of the tramping warriors
   and all the garments rolled in blood
   shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us,
   a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
   and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
   and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
   He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
   from this time onwards and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

                                                     Isaiah 9:2-7

Jesus' light - the good, is all around us, 

In the sunshine and also in the darkness.

There in the joy, and in the pain too.

In seasons of struggle, the touch of a helping hand, 

the glimpsed sensation of the presence of God, 

the way water daily lifts our thirst. 

In nature reminding us, 

in friendship encouraging us,

in song and paint and play, 

in our hearts too.

Take a breath… feel the light -  the good, fill your chest… 

Now breathe it out, the heartache you feel…. 

God is in the exhale too. 

God IS the light and the light is with you,

so take heart and let yourself be light, 

put down the load you carry, the heaviness laid on you.

Be still and know the light - and let the light carry you.

_____________

Heidi Franklin's artwork, 'The Light', acrylic paint on canvas board.

Heidi Franklin lives on the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung People in Bendigo, Regional Victoria. Born in Tanzania, East Africa, with Celtic heritage, Heidi’s heart-felt, whimsical art is brought to life by her cross-cultural upbringing. Heidi is committed to holding space to cultivate well-being, creativity, insight and development, through her work as an artist, teacher, life coach and retreat facilitator.

This devotional is the second in a series of daily email devotionals for Advent 2022. This year's series reflects on the hope and joy of the good breaking in with the birth of Christ. 

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