Day 1

God Sets the Stage

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.  And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:1-4)

Can you recall a time you witnessed something truly amazing? Maybe you vividly remember what it was like to stand at the edge of a vast canyon for the first time, or how you felt as beads of water showered you from a roaring waterfall. Or perhaps the amazing moment you remember was quieter, subtler — the first time your spouse held your hand, the moment a friend’s kindness overwhelmed you, when you heard a beautiful piece of music that touched your heart.

Such moments, both big and small, fill us with wonder and awe at the depth and creativity of the God who so lovingly and intentionally created our world and each of us.  When we are able to be fully present during these moments, aware of the vastness of God, we are changed. These experiences ignite something within us that longs for glory, majesty, and beauty. They awaken our desire for God.

The world as we know it began in darkness. But God was there in the dark of the heavens. The Bible says that God was “hovering” over the earth, as though eagerly anticipating what was coming next. Then suddenly there was light, and the world — born in God’s imagination — began to take shape. The wonder of creation lit the world — with God’s light a vital illumination for all the beauty and mystery yet to come.

It is mind-boggling to think that God created everything. Take a few minutes to reread today’s passage from Genesis 1, lingering on the image of God creating everything out of nothing, bringing meaning and beauty into our world with one spark of life-giving, illuminating light. And one day light would illumine the night sky over Bethlehem with the hope of redemption and the promise that God would be with us always.

The season of Advent invites us to see the world through the gift of wonder — to look for the beauty in what God has done and believe there is more to this world than what we can see or understand; to be amazed by the most wonderful story ever told, a story that continues through each of our lives. You are invited to enter this season with a spirit of curiosity, asking to be astonished anew with God’s gifts and trusting God to fill you with wonder.

Prayer focus:
How does meditating on the story of creation affect your view of God? What attributes of God come to mind as you read Genesis 1? Offer a prayer to God, acknowledging God’s creative power in the world and in your life. Ask God to place the gift of wonder in your heart as you prepare for Advent.