Listen

“You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.

You will tell his people how to be saved through the forgiveness of their sins.

Because of our God’s deep compassion, the dawn from heaven will break upon us, to give light to those who are sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide us on the path of peace.”

Luke 1:76-79

Think

Where I live, the sunsets are noted for their beauty, as though God exhausts every color in the palette to dazzle us each evening. Every night, it’s easy to echo the words of the creation story’s daily benediction: “It was good.”

When I’m especially fortunate, I find myself attentive to these nightly glories on days that have been the most difficult. The days when I feel most alone and most misunderstood, the days when my own actions fall well short of my best intentions, the days when I spill ketchup on my white shirt (again).

But despite the shadows and the darkness of the day, despite the sins I’ve committed and those that have been committed against me, heaven’s dawn crests over the mountains and shines its rays of compassion deep into my soul.

Soon, I’m reminded, a new day will dawn. A new chance to love and be loved. A new path to discover and create peace.

Dave McNeely

Pray

God, I thank you for your mercies that reappear with every morning’s dawn.

I pray that your compassion will faithfully guide my steps onto paths of peace and provide light for all who feel overwhelmed by darkness.

Amen.

Go

As your feet walk down the path of peace,

May your heart remain open to receive peace,

And your hands remain open to offer peace.

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