O come, Thou Bright and Morning Star,
And bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
And turn our darkness into light.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (8th or 9th century)
Latin: Germany (1710)
Listen to this modern version of this popular hymn/carol as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.
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Everyone, enjoy this video, and the transcript below.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
We continue our journey through Advent with this ancient text that invokes several powerful images of Emmanuel and invites Him to come even as we rejoice. Let’s tune our hearts.
Star
As I write this we approach the longest night of the year. But this is not your ordinary winter solstice. On 2020 Jupiter and Saturn will appear closer in the sky than they have in around 400 years. This is called a conjunction, but being that it is on this holiday week, some are calling it the Christmas Star, even though it simply two planets reflecting the light of the sun.
Our perspective sometimes keeps us from seeing things clearly, and many will still not be able to see this phenomenon in the western sky tonight. That does not mean it did not occur for it most certainly did. It makes me ponder what other things we miss in this or any other season for that matter.
Our text for this week takes us to Jesus’ self-proclaimed title of “the bright morning star” and encourages us to think about the difference His coming can make. His light brings comfort and pushes back darkness. It even turns darkness into light.
O come, Thou Bright and Morning Star,
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:16 ESV
This is a name Jesus gave Himself which undoubtedly means He is glad to be called by it. He is no ordinary star, which varies in brightness, but is constant, always visible. We simply need eyes to see Him, eyes that are always looking for Him. What are you doing to seek out that star this season?
We invite Him again to come, this time as the One Who can illumine our darkness. A bright morning star is one that can be seen even in the daytime. Such is our Savior. So why do we sometimes fail to see Him? Maybe we are not looking. Really looking.
RESONATE!
If we are going to benefit form the light Jesus can bring we need to be looking for and even expecting that light. Ask Jesus for the ability to always see Him. Ask Him to help You to always be looking for Him. Only then can we truly see Him for who He is. Jesus, help me see You for Who You are.
Comfort
Can light bring comfort? Absolutely! Darkness welcomes and feeds doubt and uncertainty. Light can remove them and usher in comfort in the void left behind.
It seems like such a simple thing. Ask for light just like you would ask for Christmas gift. Then wait. But wait expectantly. Can you recall the wonder of being a child and opening a Christmas gift that seemed to flood your whole being with excitement?
Jesus wants us to ask, and then wait expectantly. Sometimes grown-ups can take things too seriously. Recall the simplicity of a Christmas morning when you received a gift you had desperately wanted, one you had asked for over and over.
Realize Jesus wants us to long for Him in a similar way. And why wouldn’t we? He brings comfort from that seemingly distant place of the shining star and illumines our heart with love, faith, joy, peace, and so much more.
And bring us comfort from afar!
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:17 ESV
In this verse that follows the one above we see various ones invite Jesus to come, as well as the one who needs Him. His presence and the light which emanates from it are the comfort we need. What pain are you experiencing today? Ask Jesus to comfort you with His bright presence.
RESONATE!
Where do you need the comfort of the Bright and Morning Star? Maybe it is something you have asked for before. Ask again. Welcome Him to draw near and bring it to you. Jesus, draw near and comfort me with the light of Your presence.
Jesus, thank You for being the Bright and Morning Star. Shine into my darkness and bright your comfort. You know what I need even better than I do, and You long for me to find it in You. Help me Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Illuminated Tuning!
Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.
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Video 24.4 Transcript
Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.
O come, Thou Bright and Morning Star,
And bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
And turn our darkness into light.
We welcome Him again, this time as the One Who can illumine our darkness. He calls Himself no ordinary star, but one that can be seen even in the daytime. Such is our Savior. So why do we sometimes fail to see Him? We are not looking. Really looking. Ask Him to help You.
Jesus, help me see You for Who You are.
Can light bring comfort? Absolutely! Darkness welcomes and feeds doubt and uncertainty. Light can remove them and usher in comfort in the void left behind. Where do you need the comfort of the Bright and Morning Star? Welcome Him to draw near and bring it to you.
Jesus, draw near and comfort me with the light of Your presence.
We all deal with darkness, sometimes internal and other times external. Jesus is the Master at pushing that darkness away from us. This stanza reminds us that we need to ask Him to dispel it. Take a lesson from this simple prayer and put it into practice today.
Jesus, dispel the shadows of the night.
Jesus is so bright He can turn our darkness into light, not simply pushing it away, but transforming it for His glory and our good. Name your darkness right now and ask Jesus to turn it into light. Believe He can do it, for He alone is the Bright and Morning Star.
Jesus, turn our darkness into light.
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, Be Resonant.
The post Finding Comfort in His Light appeared first on Resonant 7.
Image Attributions
O Come, Thou Bright and Morning Star – https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/jesus-and-satan-referred-to-as-the-morning-star.html
And Bring Us Comfort From Afar – https://pixabay.com/photos/christmas-gift-christmas-tree-3485296/
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