An Advent Devotion for December 15  
Read Isaiah 52:7-9

“How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news . . .” Isaiah 52:7a

Brett Hart’s short story, “The Luck of Roaring Camp,” is a tale of a tough, lawless mining camp out west. In the late 1880’s a miner discovers a little baby who has been abandoned. The baby is brought back into camp of rough and tumble miners who have to figure out how to care for the baby.    Almost as soon as the baby arrives a transformation begins. One by one, each of the miners becomes a different person. There are clothes to be made, meals to be prepared, washing and tending to be done, all for the little foundling of Roaring Camp. Not only are the individual miners transformed, but the whole camp as well. Swearing and cursing, fighting and feuding, once typical of Roaring Camp, now cease. Each man tries to be on his best behavior, because of the baby.

Christmas often brings out the best in us. We become more generous. Toys land in containers for children whose parents can’t afford them. Food Shelves are stocked full of food for holiday dinners. Gifts cards get sent to people who are having a hard time.

Christmas – Christ’s coming among us is the power to turn a life around . . . The power to light up the darkness . . . The power to raise up dead lives . . . The power to renew the soul. Knowing Christ gives us the power to face the world with hope and love. It is to move beyond our fears, hurts, failures and brokenness.

To encounter Christmas with its depth and meaning is to encounter the living God who journey’s with us. May this Christmas be one where you are willing to be surprised, to be open to the miracle of Emmanuel who is God with us.

Indeed, “How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
who announces salvation,
who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7

Prayer:     God of the mountain messengers, May this year be one in which we truly celebrate Christ’s coming among us. May our hearts open a bit wider and let the Christ child into all our mediation’s, pondering, giving and celebrating. Amen

Additional Advent & Christmastide Devotions can be found by clicking here:   Advent & Christmastide Devotions