Daily Devotion 04 December 2025

You shine like stars in the dark world. You offer the teaching that gives life. Philippians 2: 15b-16a

READING: Luke 1: 68-79

In Luke, we find the hopes and aspirations of the Jewish people at that time summarised in two prophetic words, one from Mary (Luke 1:46-56) and the other from Zechariah (Luke 1:67-79). These discourses both appear in relation to babies. Elizabeth, the infertile and aged wife of Zechariah (Luke 1:7) will give birth to John, a “forerunner” who will “make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17). Her younger cousin, Mary, is to receive the highest honour of all, to become the mother of the “Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:32).

Zechariah’s prophesy begins with a short description of the task of his son, John. He would “go on before the Lord to prepare His ways” (v76). Importantly, Zechariah doesn’t stop there. He quickly turns his attention to the “Sunrise from on high” (v78), a poetic description of the Messiah. According to verse 79, this One anointed by God will:

“Shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death” and

“Guide our feet into the way of peace.”

The Holy Spirit who lives inside of us propels us to engage with our world, not retreat from it. This is symbolised by the imagery from verse 78. Christ is a “sunrise.” At dawn, the rising sun gradually illuminates the sky more and more, incrementally dispersing the darkness of night in every nook and cranny. This is a positive vision, one filled with anticipation of the change that is possible in the light of Christ.

The beneficiaries of our light – our lives lived in the integrity and hopefulness of Christ Himself – are those who “sit in darkness and the shadow of death”. We, as light-bearers, are challenged to go to those around us who are in “darkness”, and bring Christ’s light where they are.

Secondly, Jesus will “guide our feet into the way of peace.” The image is of a journey. Our feet are moving along a path, toward a destination. As disciples of Christ, we must always pause and ask ourselves: Will this path, if we follow it, aggravate animosity and negativity, or will it lead to greater tranquillity and benefit for all?

We are challenged, in Advent as we begin to celebrate Christmas, the coming of Christ, as the Light of the world, to represent Him to all we meet, by bringing light into whatever their darkness might be.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for the humility to seek Your Spirit’s strength and wisdom to invite others into vibrant relationship with You; I pray for the strength and courage to work for justice and healing for those I meet in the path of my own life. Amen.