December Gifts

December Mountain Sunrise

I am again inspired by Ruth's Advent devotions--

These are the words of Zachariah, father of John the Baptist, at John's birth as he proclaimed the coming messiah.

"God's sunrise will break upon us, shining on those in the darkness, those sitting in the shadow of death, showing us the way, one foot at a time, down the path of peace." Luke 1:78-79

Many of us rise before the sun does, (and if you live in a rural area such as ours, most people do.) They either have a long drive to work, or they farm and have to "get up with the chickens" literally! In talking with friends this week, I have heard several comments on the spectacular sunrises of late. Jack and I have thought the same thing and so, this morning, after Jack drove off to work, I stepped out on the porch, braved the cold winds, and snapped the picture you see above. I told Jack as we drank our first cup of coffee in bed this morning, it would be nice to build a house so that the bedroom window is facing the east. What a wonderful way to wake up each morning watching the sunrise. It can't help but improve one's outlook for the day, nor can one help but praise God for such a beautiful gift each morning!

We moved from a house in the woods to a house on the mountain. It is still an awe-inspiring experience to observe the blazing oranges and reds of a sunrise, the azure blue noonday sky scattered with puffs of white clouds, the fading pinks and purples of the sunset, or the ominous dark gray storm clouds rolling in from the west. Even the vapor trails of silver jets traveling across the "wild blue yonder" are impressive! We named our long driveway up to our house "Blue Sky Road" because one has the feeling of traveling through the sky as the road winds its way to the top.

The weatherman can explain the scientific reasons for these occurrences each day, but no doubt God gave us sunrises and sunsets and a glorious sky as a gift to enjoy and help us remember his omnipotent power over the universe. My picture file of the heavens, as seen from below, continues to grow.

The holiday season is upon us, and there is so much to do. My prayer each morning for myself is -- "Dear Lord, Open my heart to the gifts of this day." I hope it will be yours too.

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