God’s nourishment
The devotions for the coming week are taken from Lutheran Tract Mission’s 2025 Advent devotional, ‘Shine the Light’. Written by Anne Hansen, Lutheran Tract Mission’s Tract Development Officer, the devotions focus on the significance of light in God’s story and plan for the world, from the beginning of Genesis 1, where God created light and the lights in the sky, to the last verse of Revelation, where God is the light reigning forever. The ‘Shine the Light’ Advent devotional is available at www.ltm.org.au/flipbk/advent-2025 and can be downloaded, printed or used as a digital flipbook.
by Anne Hansen
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For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light (Psalm 36:9).
Read Psalm 36:5–9
Last year, when my husband and I were travelling through Salzburg, Austria, we visited an unusual summer castle, Schloss Hellbrunn, built in 1612 to 1619 by Archbishop Markus Sittikus.
Underground springs flowed under the castle and gardens, so the archbishop, with his sense of humour, had trick water fountains installed throughout the gardens. Fountains and spigots came out of everywhere, and you would get sprayed at any time from the most unsuspecting statue.
There was also a huge, automated music display of the city of Vienna (at the time), all run by water – even at the end, when you were entranced with the movements, water came spurting out into the audience. My favourite was the outdoor dining setting where the archbishop invited all his friends to dinner, only to have water come through the seats and all around the table. The archbishop, of course, stayed dry.
Not only were there the water and the fountains, but it was also lit by colour and lights. I love seeing fountains. I saw many throughout Europe, but many of these were created with recirculated water. At Schloss Hellbrunn, the water was fed by fresh underground springs that never seemed to run out.
King David described God as a fountain, not one that just recirculates, but rather a fountain of never-ending new life that gives life and rejuvenation to all around. He is the source of all life, and from him, life flows like a fountain, nourishing all around him.
David also tells us that being in the light of God, we see only light. Light always outshines the night. When we think of God as the light, everything we see and do is illuminated by him. In God, there is no darkness, and we seek this light moving forward in faith.
The Advent season is a time spoken of in terms of light and dark. Jesus was the light sent by God into a dark world to bring everlasting light. Live in the light this Advent season and drink from the abundant fountain of life.
Heavenly Father, you are my fountain of life and light. Guide and bless me in all the things I do to share your love with others, as you continually bless me. Amen.
Anne Hansen has worked as the Lutheran Tract Mission Development Officer for 19 years. She lives in Noosa, Queensland, with her husband, Mark (a pastor), and has three grown children – Jonah, Christian and Emma – and is a new proud mother-in-law to Brooke. Anne enjoys attending Mainly Music, walking, reading, gardening and playing pickleball.
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