Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might,
and come to save us!
Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
O Lord God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn of our neighbours;
our enemies laugh among themselves.
Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
the one whom you made strong for yourself.
Then we will never turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call on your name.
Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Reflection - The Warmth of the Light
Here is an Psalm perhaps from the exile or perhaps referring to the fall of Samaria. In each case there is a longing for the days when God felt close and near and the people felt secure.
We all pine for security. We all need salvation. As Christians we see the Light of Christ shining brightly in this psalm. We understand our own fall and know of the need of repentance. As Children of God we see Jesus all over this passage that was written before Jesus was born of Mary. As Children of God and Christians we know and look to the hope and the light of Jesus coming again to finalize God's rule over sin, death and evil.
Yes, we look to the return of Jesus when we are turned around once again. Turned around to see the shining face of God. We have seen God in the slavery of sin, we have seen God in the desert places of life, we have seen God in the crossing into the blessings of this life through the waters of baptism, we have seen God in the restoration from sin in the body and blood and the bread and wine of Holy Communion, we have seen God in the presence of the Holy Spirit as we are gifted, called and sent into the world to do God's will. Yes, we have seen God!
God has turned us around how many times in life to see him? God turns his face to ours and shows himself day after day in and through our lives. As Christians and Children of God and disciples of Jesus... God shows himself! That is the light of this Advent. God shows himself to us and we see him! We wait... yet we see. We see each day the presence of God as we wait for Jesus to come again.
Think about it and love this action of God. God shows up because God loves us. God wants me and God wants you to be with him. So... God sent the Light... God sent Jesus for you... for me... for all. All out of his love and desire to be with us. Yes God is with us, turning his face to ours and shining his love onto our face and into our hearts. God is with us! Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Lord, I feel the warmth of the love from the Light you shine on me and in me. Send me this day to proclaim the Light to all those you give to me. A Light that shines on the faces of all people... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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