Psalm 85:1-2; Psalm 85:8-13 (NRSV)
Devotion
Have you ever thought to yourself: what an injustice it was that the Lord of heaven was born in such a lowly, forsaken way? Indeed, he was not born of justice. But his birth was exactly right. In that manger in that forgotten town, God's righteousness and steadfast love looked down from the sky. In that moment, God chose to turn the power of the world upside down. And what sprung up from the ground? Faithfulness. The faithfulness of the shepherds who were curious enough to check out this strange happening. The faithfulness of Joseph for his beloved young Mary as she labored. She could not have given birth without him. With Mary and Joseph, we see how righteousness and peace kiss each other in order to bring about God's future for us. Perhaps Christ's birth was the fruit of injustices. But God saw to it that it was just right.
Prayer
Lord, we often find ourselves in difficult times and places. Make a path for our steps in such times. Show us you are still near. Amen.