Few things in life are more peaceful and beautiful than the sunrise. In the summer, it’s the feeling of the cool, damp morning, giving way to the light and heat of the sun. and when the sun rises, everything comes to life! I know in my yard, the early morning sun means birds singing, squirrels busy foraging for food, and the very odd time even a deer or a coyote quietly wandering through the edges of our yard. And even in our frigid winters, that sunrise each morning feels like, well… survival!

In our scripture for today, Zechariah describes Jesus as the rising sun that comes from heaven, sent because of the tender mercy of God. I hope we all take time to thank God each morning for the light and warmth of a new day, as well as the life and beauty that the sun gives to all living things. I think Zechariah gives us the perfect description for Jesus - the light from heaven that brings light, and beauty, and life to our world, to our hearts, and to our souls.

These aren’t just poetic words. When we are lonely, or have gone through something that has robbed us of all hope, life can feel very cold and dark. In those moments when we don’t know what the future holds - where we’ll find our next job, how we’ll repair a strained relationship, or even how we’ll pass tomorrow’s exam - we can feel lost and without direction. When we experience hurt or loss in our lives, we might wonder if the sun will ever rise again.

I love Psalm 30:5 which says, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” The gift of Jesus in our lives means that when life feels cold and dark, when we feel lost and without direction, when we wonder if the sun will ever rise again, we have the assurance that Jesus is with us, just as sure as the daily rising of the sun. We also have the promise that his presence always brings light and life to our situation. This doesn’t mean Jesus will instantly solve all of our problems in exactly the way we want him to. But He does promise to lead us step by step and day by day, along a path marked by peace rather than the chaos you might be experiencing. He promises to lead us from where we are to a place of “life to the full” in Him.