December 18th Advent Devotional

December 18

Luke 1:67-80

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High,

for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

to give his people knowledge of salvation

by the forgiveness of their sins.

Because of the tender mercy of our God,

the dawn from on high will break upon us,

to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

-Luke 1:76-79

Gospel music has always had a special place in my life. J.H. (Papa) Vickers, my maternal grandfather, was a farmer by occupation but spent a large part of his spare time writing music. He also was the song director for our little country church, leading us from that old tattered, shape-note hymnal. After Papa was no longer able to lead the congregational singing, my dad took over that responsibility. Dad was also a part of an amateur family gospel quintet that visited “rest homes” to share the gospel message through singing.

Our Advent booklet’s theme is based on Isaiah 64:1, which immediately brought to my mind the Gospel song, Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul, by John W. Peterson.

In Luke 1:67-80, we find the story of Zechariah praising God with his first words after months of silence. In a song, Zechariah prophesied the coming of the Savior who would redeem his people and predicted that his son John would prepare the Messiah’s way. Read again Zechariah’s words printed above.

Similarly, the first stanza and the chorus of Peterson’s hymn says:

O what a wonderful, wonderful day, day I will never forget;

After I’d wandered in darkness away, Jesus my Savior I met.

O what a tender, compassionate friend, He met the need of my heart;

Shadows dispelling, with joy I am telling, He made all the darkness depart.

Chorus:

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul,

When at the cross the Savior made me whole;

My sins were washed away and my night was turned to day,

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul!

Do you remember Jesus’ compassion? Do you recall how, in your times of need and darkness, Jesus has responded?

Gary Green