The Second Sunday of Advent
Light in the Darkness
Christmas lights are my favorite part of the holiday season. They rank above Christmas trees, ornaments, presents, candy and cookies, and maybe even music. And I love music. I have, unashamedly, had my Christmas decorations up since Halloween weekend. In years past, I typically decorated right around Thanksgiving, but I fully indulged my Christmas spirit and decorated early this year. The Hobby Lobby Christmas sale and I were very good friends this year.
When Daylight Savings ends in November, night falls increasingly early, and the extra morning daylight does not last long. All too soon, I am driving to and from work in the dark, or, at the very least, twilight. However, the cheer of the Christmas lights brings a spark of joy to the early gloom. As I drive down the neighborhood streets, I see the white lights edging the roofs and eaves of one neighbor while another has a red and white pattern going. Then I see the white icicle lights of our house and the blue icicle lights of the neighbor next door. Each new color, style, and design delights and reminds me of the hope of the season.
Light in the darkness. This is the hope of the Advent season. This is the promise of our faith.
In the beginning was darkness, “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depth…” (Genesis 1:2a CSB) But “[t]hen God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness” (1:3-4). From the beginning, light and darkness were separate. The light was declared good; it shone in the darkness as moon and stars. We are never totally without light in our world.
From the beginning, we see the light symbolizing the promise of Jesus. Even before the Fall in Eden, God illuminates the way to Jesus. After the Fall, our sins hid our faces from God, and He would not listen to the unrepentant (Isaiah 59). Yet, we are told that even while we think darkness will hide us, darkness is not dark to God (Psalm 139). Our sins separate us from God, but He knew we would need a promise for light and life.
In Isaiah, we read, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness” (9:2). Jesus is the light shining in the darkness. He is the true light, the light of life who is offered to all. Our darkness cannot overcome the light of Christ (John 1). In this world, we have the promise of light and life when we turn to Jesus.
During Advent, we remember the first coming of Christ. We prepare our hearts for the symbolic coming of Christ at Christmas. We contemplate our darkness and celebrate the light of salvation offered by Christ. Yet Advent also portends the second coming of Christ, when He will come not as a babe in a manger but as a conquering king. When Christ comes again, He will bring to pass the new heaven and the new earth. In this new creation, we will have neither sun nor moon, for the glory of God alone will illuminate the city. There will never be night (Revelation 21). Darkness will be no more. No longer will we be hidden from God, but we will see him face to face. We will know Him fully and be fully known (1 Corinthians 13).
Advent is a season of contemplation and celebration. We contemplate the darkness of unrepentance and our own fallen nature. We celebrate the promise of God for a light, for salvation, and we celebrate the coming of Christ – the promised Savior and Light of the world.
As you drive down your neighborhood streets this week and gaze at the lights on your Christmas tree, consider all that light means for us and give thanks to God for not leaving us in the darkness.
A Song – “O Holy Night”
A Reading – Isaiah 59-60, John 1
A Prayer –
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'
Amen.
