17
December 13
Christmas, which is supposed to be the most peaceful time of the year, often seems to be a most tumultuous time. Holiday season 2023 seems to be no exception with an ongoing Ukrainian-Russian conflict, an Israel-Hamas conflict, an off-and-on U.S. government shutdown threat, a potential major volcanic eruption in Iceland, and the list goes on. World events, as well as personal events, can threaten finding a peaceful Christmas, at least on human terms. Fortunately, Psalm 27 reminds us God is light and goodness in the midst of chaos and darkness.
The structure of Psalm 27 mirrors who God is. Verse 1 begins with, “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” So first, God is Light. While verses 2 and 3 talk about potential chaos from enemies, foes, armies and war, the middle of Psalm 27 reminds us God is always present. The psalmist ends by declaring in verse 13, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” God is in the beginning, the middle, and the end. Psalm 27:4-5 in The Message translation describes God"s house as “the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world.” Escape the chaos of the world this season by taking time to enter God"s house and celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ as the ultimate manifestation of Light and Goodness.
Kaylene Barbe