December 22, 2016

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by Thine Advent here,

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

Dayspring is literally “dawn,” the physical light of the sun at the start of a new day. At the dawning of light, we welcome Christ into the world to shatter the darkness that had previously plagued the people of God. At long last, the promised One has come to light up the world and cheer our waning spirits. With the dawn, the clouds of night are dispersed and new life emerges from below the horizon…come dayspring, come quickly, so our darkly shadowed world can find freedom and joy in the light of day.

What is the darkness over your heart and life today? What are the heavy concerns that weigh on you, hold you back from the abundant life, and follow you like a dark cloud above? The coming of Emmanuel is a tangible reminder that our dark shadows are put to flight…set free to be released…no longer are you held down in bondage to those heartaches. In Jesus, you are free to live and breathe and have your being fully released in him. Are you willing to hold looser or fully release those dark shackles that tie you down? Freedom in Jesus will transform your soul and will invite you into a deeper trust this Christmas. May it be so.