Isaiah 9:2
nThe people who walked in darkness
nhave seen a great light;
nthose who lived in a land of deep darkness—
non them light has shined.
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nTo trust God in the light is nothing. To trust God in the dark – that is faith. This from the larger-than-life Baptist preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, reminds me of a Christmas Eve feast under the golden arches. “You mean McDonald’s…those golden arches? Seriously, Jay, c’mon.” You would be right to wonder.n
nChristmas Eve, 2010. Beck, Mariah and I were leaving University UMC after the 7 pm Communion service. Grateful for having them with me for worship, we drove back down Highland Road toward our home in Kenilworth. Hunger crept up on us pretty quickly. Little did they know more than hunger was gurgling in me. Instead, a dark cloud was brewing in my spirit. I was due to deliver them back to their mom’s house by 10 pm. We were facing the first Christmas Eve of our “new normal” – the reality of a Christmas season removed from familiar patterns into the darkness of separation and impending divorce.
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nWhile I was hoping like mad that my son and daughter were happy about Christmas Eve together and excited about Christmas celebrations to come, I was sinking. With every 100 ft down Highland Road, they were hungrier. I felt like I was drowning.
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nSometimes desperate places in life crack open lightened moments for God to move. And there it was – McDonald’s on Lee and Burbank. Turning into the lot, I saw Beck’s smile and Mariah’s eyes light up. Only 2 souls were there – 1 at the counter, the other standing at the fryer. I believe they were happy we 3 happened in.
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nThough the scene was certainly no Rockwell and maybe cheeseburgers don’t measure up to turkey and dressing, there was indeed a choir of angels. Light in my darkness. My two kids. God’s love outpouring. Reminders that the Everlasting Father holds us through dark times – even those of our own making. On Christmas Eve. Of all places, under the golden arches.
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nPrayer: Shining God, even the darkness is not dark to you. Please shine in our darkness, and light up our lives. When we walk in the gloom of confusion, when pain drains the color out of life, when we are paralyzed by the shadows of fear, please shine through. And when we know that others are walking in the darkness, grant us courage to be light for them. In the name of Jesus Christ, the illuminating Son, we pray. Amen.
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nPastor Jay Hogewood
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nPastor Jay Hogewood
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