Tuesday 16 December 2025
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (v. 2)
Background
Over this past year, while on holiday in Scotland, I fulfilled a long-held dream – I spent time walking with alpacas!
Cairo and Flirty Harry, to be precise, walked along a puddle clad and rather muddy track with me holding onto their head harnesses (one alpaca on each side – they won’t walk solo but need another alpaca with them) and I encouraged them along the route. At the end of the walk, I was taken into a field of female and baby alpacas. As I was carrying a bucket of feed, I was soon a very welcome visitor as the dames and youngsters hustled around me – the babies were definitely more skittish in their approach!
In our passage from Malachi that skittishness, that playfulness, that trust and coming together is promised to those who respond to God’s presence and promises in a positive and peaceful manner.
For so many centuries the ‘people of God’ had been scattered. They had frequently been led astray by false voices, poor leadership and bad government but a change will come. It will be announced by the return of the prophet Elijah whose message we hear echoed in the words of John the Baptist (Isaiah 40:3; Luke 3:4).
Get ready! Prepare! God is on the move! Those who see this and understand will find the evil behind them. They will see the future before them. They will know the joy of reconciliation with God and others and they will rejoice – frolicking like well-fed calves (or a slightly skittish alpaca!).
To Ponder:
- God is still on the move. What about daily life in all its forms makes you rejoice (or even dance for joy)?
Prayer
Lord ever present, as we struggle through the experiences of life and the burdens we carry, lift our eyes and hearts to see your light, to hear your voice and cause us to rejoice in your life within us and within others. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Una McLean
Una is a retired presbyter living in Northumberland with her small dog Patricia. She enjoys all manner of craft work, reading, theatre, cinema and music. She also participates in Traildog events, which grew out of people running in local park runs with their dogs (today she and Patricia walk them as Una treasures her knees).