Daily Devotion – December 24, 2021 – Dr. Pat Taylor Ellison

Psalm 80:1-7
80:1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
80:2 before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us!
80:3 Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
80:4 O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
80:5 You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure.
80:6 You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves.
80:7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

The first, third, and last verses of this passage of Psalm 80 use the image of God shining upon God’s people. Especially verses 3 and 7 – “let your face shine.” What does that mean?

I’ve heard stories about people who were, for long or short times, estranged from one another, who met to reconcile and felt this moment of faces shining upon one another.

I have seen something of it myself, especially when my 92-year-old mom sees her great grandson come into the room. Her face shines upon him. And sometimes we even see the three-year-old’s face shine upon Nana. There is really nothing like it. Such a beam of light and love can not be artificially produced. Its meaning is honest and true: it is love, a bond, a connection that enriches everything around it.

The psalmist here is lamenting God’s anger with God’s own people, anger that is deserved, even, but anger that is killing them from sheer sadness. Have you ever felt that kind of sadness, perhaps with a friend who won’t speak to you or who looks away whenever you are near? You crave that acknowledgement and shining face that means you are reconciled.

In this season of Advent as we wait for God’s gift of connection to all of humanity through a baby, think of one person who is waiting for your face to shine upon them. Some way, somehow, might you find a way to connect and shine, even for a moment, together? The joy will be its own reward.

Gracious God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for letting your face shine upon us, not just in this Advent and Christmastide but always, when we come to connect with you through prayer and praise. Help us to be as generous with our friends and family as you always are with us. Amen.