Tonight We Dream

Tonight, we dream

(My wife Beth's devotion for our church for Christmas Eve.) 

As we ponder the mysteries of the universe and wonder anew the miracle of the Christmas story, we are those who dream.  Dreams are a part of our human condition, present  without bidding in our unconscious mind and present with us as we imagine futures yet unknown. We know from Biblical narrative that dreams and visions can connect us with the divine, revealing God’s intentions and plans for us.

Through a dream, Abram was reminded that he would have a son.  Jacob’s dream of the ladder assured him that he would be the one to carry Abraham’s blessing.  Joseph was a dreamer, for which he was scorned by his brothers; yet, his interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams brought relief to both the Egyptians and the Israelites in a time of famine. The story of the birth of the infant who would be our Savior is set within a series of dreams: Zacharias’ dream that he would have a son and Joseph’s dreams about Mary’s conception and Herod’s intent.  We marvel at the intimacy of God’s voice in these dreams and may well ask if God speaks to us in our dreams.

In hindsight we can see that a dream has predicted an event yet to happen. Most often, we dismiss that as chance occurrence or perhaps think that we are gifted with a special intuitive sense.  God’s voice? How would we know?  Are our dreams simply our mind’s wanderings or a divine communication?

As I recently reviewed several BBC articles and video reels about the nature of dreams, I am intrigued with the questions they raised.  When dreams come true, is it possible that we are actually having a memory of the future?  Have we, because of our imperfect understandings of the dimension of time, confused cause and effect?  Do our dreams give us the ability to travel in time? Intriguing questions, I think, and as I consider them, I consciously dream in new ways.  I read Isaiah’s vision as both prophecy and certain knowledge when he writes of the God present from before the beginning of time, now, and for eternity:

“A child is born to us, a son is given to us, and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (9:6)

I hear Verse 20 of Luke’s second chapter as a statement about the past, present, and future:

“The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.”

Tonight, the story of Jesus’ birth prompts us to dream of a time of Mary and Joseph in the manger, the angels appearing to the shepherds, and all that was revealed to them.  May it also shape our dreams of the future God intends for us, a time when we who are walking in darkness will see a great light, and we will experience endless peace, with justice and righteousness now and forever.  

Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those he favors.  Amen