December 19th: Turn

Submitted by Lyn Crawford

Today’s word is turn.  In reviewing several dictionaries’ definitions of turn, most agreed that it means to change direction in some way.  To turn is either to go off the path in a different or opposite direction or, perhaps, to rotate, moving in a circular manner.

We turn up, turn down, turn away.  Sometimes our motivation is positive, as in “turn over a new leaf”.  And, as often, we turn in reaction to a negative sense.  We make a “U turn” because we have made a mistake.  

As we come to the end of this brutal, heartbreaking year, we turn hopefully to the promise of a new year, one with less fear and stress.  Indeed, each year God calls us to heed anew, despite what may have transpired during the year that is ending, the lessons of Advent.  We are to take this time to reflect on and quietly appreciate the coming celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Christ.  And with His birth we embrace the promise of His second coming.  We are bid to turn from the past and prepare for a future filled with God’s gifts to us . . . no matter what. 

This excerpt from “On the Pulse of Morning” by Maya Angelou reminds of what is always available to us:

Here, on the pulse of this new day 

You may have the grace to look up and out 

And into your sister's eyes, 

into Your brother's face, your country 

And say simply 

Very simply 

With hope 

Good morning.

God’s grace, love, and promise of redemption are within our grasp each day as surely as the foreboding darkness of night turns into the sublime light of morning.