Genesis 21:1-7 (NRSV)
Read Genesis 21:1-7 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 21The Lord dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as he had promised. Verse 2Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him. Verse 3Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah bore him. Verse 4And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. Verse 5Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Verse 6Now Sarah said, "God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me." Verse 7And she said, "Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."
Devotion
Hannah yesterday, Sarah today. These nearly barren women of the Old Testament are brought forward in this final week of Advent to tell their stories of reversal—life brought out of the void once again, light trumping darkness. My family has a second Advent wreath hanging outside the front door of our home. With white light bulbs for flames, these sturdy candles prevail against Minnesota winters with their unlikely display of outdoor candlelight. The tiny but persistent heat from those light bulbs melts the
snow caps trying to perch on them. That wreath reminds me of the laughable hope given to Sarah. God’s promises, even when barely discernible and hardly believable, melt through all our pain and defenses with unlikely persistence, warmth and light. Isaac is born. Perhaps ours is a laughable promise, too, but a trustworthy promise nonetheless.
Prayer
When hope in your promises seems laughable, Christ, be our light. Amen.