A Devotion for the Sixth Day of Christmas on December 30
Read II Corinthians 4:16-18

“So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” II Corinthians 4:16

The world Christ was born into was a dark and troubled one. Long years of bondage to a foreign power had broken the spirit. September 11, 2001 troubled the waters of our country. Around the world, candles were lit. Each lit as a sign of light against the darkness that tore us apart. Often, it is in moments when we are most broken that we are most conscious of the light of Christ. Light comes as a sign of hope when all else is obliterated by darkness and despair.

The story is told of a European town which was known for its beautiful stained glass window. The window was shattered in a storm. There was nothing to do but store the pieces in a box. Some time later a stranger, hearing of the loss, asked if he could have the fragments. They were useless to the villagers so he easily received the permission needed. Two years passed. One day the people of the village were invited to a showing of the work of a famed artesian in a nearby village. When the artist unveiled his work, there were the fragments of stained glass – seemingly useless after a storm, but now fashioned into a window of far greater beauty than the original.

The apostle Paul would write, “So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.”

God is the one who takes the fragments and splinters of our lives, then remakes them. Christ came not only to save us from our sins, but to take our lives and transform each one into a masterpiece. The message of Christmas is not only that Christ came, but that Christ continues to come, again and again whenever . . . wherever there are those waiting to receive him in.

Prayer:  Holy God, You are the one  who restores and remakes us.   Come to us again this day.   Take the shattered pieces in our lives that need your  healing touch.   Reassure us of your presence and care.    In those moments when we are ready to lose heart,   remind us that you are the one who takes the tattered pieces of our lives and turns them into places of beauty.  Help us to trust  that we really  are held in your hands of  love.    Amen.

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