The Twelve Days of Christmas - Lutheran Theological Seminary at ...

Saturday, December 31, 2005
Seventh Day of Christmas
1 Kings 3:5-14 God grants a discerning mind
John 8:12-19 I am the light
IF YOU ARE READING THIS REFLECTION IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE EARTH, you
might turn out all of the lights in your part of the world and take note: it’s pretty
dark. Maybe the festal revelry of this night makes you immune to this truth.
And it’s not just the darkness that comes from lack of light that makes it so dark.
It may also be that your life has darkness: wars and rumors of wars, corruption
in our governments, leaders without discernment, sickness or sorrow, families
operating in dysfunction, lack of work or rest. Maybe you’ve succumbed to the
blues that plague many in our culture at this time of year because the holiday
didn’t quite cut it. It’s pretty dark.
To this darkness, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world...” This is light that the
darkness itself cannot comprehend. And in your darkness, you can take comfort
because there is no darkness so dark that Jesus himself is not familiar. Jesus is
with you in that darkness. To this darkness, Jesus says, “I am light...”
Solomon gets it. He asks for a discerning mind, acknowledging that he is not
capable on his own to judge, to rule, to even live among his people without
such a mind. Maybe you, too, pray with Solomon for such a mind this year, to
discern what the will of God is for you. Maybe such a prayer can be at the
heart of your prayers as we welcome another year.
Instead of making a resolution today for the coming year, ask God for at least
two things: a discerning mind and light that testifies to the truth. God, grant
such light and wisdom to you, to our country and leaders and to our world and
its inhabitants.
Prayer
O God, give us wisdom, give us discerning minds, give us light for our darkness, that we might
come to know you and live by your gracious hand, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen
ten
Mark Mummert