Awakened by His Tender Mercy
Scripture Reading: Luke 1:67-80
“Because of the tender mercy of our God, the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death.” — Luke 1:78–79
Advent is a season of waiting, longing, and gentle awakening. The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “arrival” or “coming.” It invites us to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ—His coming in Bethlehem, His coming into our lives now, and His coming again in glory. This is why Zechariah’s prophecy forms such a perfect doorway into Advent. Jesus is the “rising sun” who comes not because of our worthiness but because of God’s compassion (Luke 1:78). Isaiah foresaw this dawning mercy: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2), and John echoes it: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). Advent tells us that the night is real, but it is not final; the shadows are deep, but they are not permanent. Christ, the Light, is on the way—and nothing can stop His coming.
This dawning mercy teaches us to wait in a new way—quietly, patiently, step by step. Eugene Peterson once wrote that the Christian life is “a long obedience in the same direction,” and Advent trains us in that slow, steady obedience. Jesus guides our feet “into the path of peace” (Luke 1:79), not by removing all trouble but by giving us enough light for the next step, and the next. We do not need complete clarity to begin the journey; we only need the light He gives. Advent waiting is therefore courageous waiting—trusting that God is already moving toward us, already working in the shadows, already leading us toward peace.
Yet Advent also honors hiddenness. Before John ever preached a single word, “he grew and became strong in spirit… in the wilderness” (Luke 1:80). God formed him in silence, obscurity, and long seasons where nothing seemed to be happening. Maria Boulding describes this tender work of God by saying, “It is baffling and disconcerting, but in some way all-important for you to stay there in darkness and quiet.” Advent invites us into that same quiet trust—believing that God is shaping us even when we feel unseen, unnoticed, or unfinished. The world rushes past these seasons, but God uses them to form prophets, disciples, and people who carry His light into the darkness.
Prayer
Lord, in this Advent season, shine Your tender mercy upon us. Guide our feet into the path of peace, give us light for the next step, and strengthen us in the quiet places where You form our hearts. Teach us to wait with hope, walk with trust, and welcome the rising Sun, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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