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The Daily Devotional
Sunday, January 4, 2026
The Pipers’ Call: Light in the Darkness
“In him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." — John 1:4-5
Introduction
Welcome to the eleventh day of Christmas. In the traditional carol, today is celebrated with "eleven pipers piping." Historically, these pipers are said to represent the eleven faithful disciples—those who remained after Judas departed—who were charged with carrying the music (message) of the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
Liturgically, we stand on the threshold of Epiphany. The quiet intimacy of the manger is shifting toward a global proclamation. The "light" of Christ is no longer a secret kept in a stable; it is beginning to break over the horizon, signaling that this Child is not just for a select few, but for all nations. Today, we consider how that light reaches us, even when we cannot see it with our physical eyes.
Reflection
On this day in 1809, Louis Braille was born. Blinded by an accident in his father’s workshop at the age of three, Louis grew up in a world of shadows. At that time, blindness often meant a life of isolation and intellectual poverty. But Louis refused to accept that the darkness had the final word. By the age of fifteen, he had developed the system of raised dots that bears his name today—a tactile "light" that illuminated the world of literature, science, and faith for millions of blind people who followed him.
There is a profound spiritual parallel here. Much like the eleven faithful disciples ("the pipers") who had to learn a new way to communicate the presence of God to a world that couldn't see Him, Louis Braille found a way to communicate truth through touch. He proved that light doesn't always come through the eyes; sometimes, it comes through the fingertips.
In our everyday lives, we often act as if we can only believe what we can clearly see. We want a roadmap, a five-year plan, or a visible sign that God is working. But the Incarnation teaches us that God’s light is resilient. It behaves like Isaac Newton (also born on this day) described: it travels, it bends, and it penetrates.
When we feel surrounded by the "darkness" of uncertainty, grief, or confusion, we are invited to listen to the "pipers piping." We are invited to close our eyes and feel for the raised dots of God's grace in our daily lives—the kind word of a stranger, the peace that passes understanding, the inexplicable strength to get through a hard Tuesday. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness—whether it be physical blindness or spiritual despair—has never, and will never, overcome it.
Application
Today, practice "seeing" without your eyes. Identify one area of your life where you feel in the dark—perhaps a relationship that is strained or a future decision that is unclear. Instead of straining to see the solution, try to sense where the "pipers" are playing. Where is there peace? Where is there love?
Your challenge is to be a source of "braille" for someone else today. Send a text, make a call, or offer a gesture of support to someone who is struggling. Be the tangible touch of God’s light for a person who cannot currently see the hope for themselves.
Conclusion
As we near the end of the Christmas season, remember that the circle of God’s love is ever-widening. It includes the disciples, the Magi, the scientist, and the blind child. The music of the eleven pipers reminds us that the message of Jesus is a song meant to be heard by everyone, and His light is strong enough to pierce any darkness we encounter.
Prayer
Gracious God, Source of all Light, thank You for the gift of Your Son, who shines as the light of all people. On this eleventh day of Christmas, we give thanks for the "pipers" in our lives—those who have carried the music of Your love to us when we could not hear it ourselves. We thank You for the innovators like Louis Braille, who remind us that our limitations cannot limit Your grace. When we find ourselves in darkness, help us to trust that Your light is still present. widen our hearts to share that light with our neighbors, so that no one has to walk in the dark alone. Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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