Tender compassion

"In the tender compassion of our God

the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,

and to guide our feet into the way of peace."

The Canticle of Zechariah, Luke 1:78-79

 

Since last summer I have been praying this Canticle as part of the morning office prayers.  This particular stanza always strikes me as so beautiful and I have been waiting for the perfect day to share it in the Daily. My favorite words are "tender compassion..." I can visualize God tenderly loving us and showing us such compassion and mercy.  And, this time of year, as the days creep to more darkness than light, it is even more hopeful.  These next few days will be the shortest, darkest days and then, so subtly, there will be a minute more of daylight.  Just a minute here and another minute the next week, and, before we know it, we will have more light than dark.  If we think of the light as a most marvelous gift from our loving God, who knows we walk safer and more secure in the light, it will mean much more to us.  So, in these days of going to work in the dark and returning home in the dark, we hope in the Light that comes to us soon!  Let's spend today basking in the tender compassion of our God!  Love, heidi