Day 24: Light
"The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned."
Isaiah 9:2
A light has dawned.
Long ago Isaiah prophesied that there would be a Messiah who
would come and open the eyes of those living in darkness and bring them into
the light. Those who are spiritually blind would be able to see. When the apostle
John spoke of the incarnation in his gospel, he proclaimed:
“The true light that gives light to every man was coming
into the world.” John 1:9
John and the other gospel writers point to Jesus Christ as the
one who is the light, the one who spiritually illuminates. Earlier in his gospel
John had said that in Jesus was life and “that life was the light of men”
(John 1:4). Jesus himself said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me
will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
Light illuminates, it reveals. At my church we have a
Christmas Eve service that ends in candlelight. The room is darkened as we sing
Silent Night, slowly as the candles we are holding are lit, the room begins
to brighten until it is fully shining by the end of the song. We who are Christ
followers, “children of light” (1 Thessalonians 5:5), are also called to be
light, to imitate Christ with our words and our deeds and reveal Christ to
those around us.
“…let your light shone before men, that they may see your
good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Light came into the world in the beginning when God spoke
and said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). Light and life came into our
lives with the incarnation of Christ, the light of the world. God’s presence is
the everlasting light of the redeemed in heaven,
“The city [the New Jerusalem] does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of gives it light. and the Lamb is its lamp.” Revelation 21:23
“Advent is not about pretending
darkness is not real; it is about knowing that light always overcomes darkness
(Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:16) and that in the New Heavens and New Earth the light
of Christ perpetually shines (Revelation 21:22ff). Advent reminds us that
perfect love drives out all fear (1 John 4:18). Advent invites us to begin life
anew by turning our backs on the darkness and welcoming the coming light, in
hope, peace, love, and joy…we are a people who constantly look to the east in a
hope-filled search for light. Advent shapes us into people of hope, love, joy,
and peace. We look for the holy in the ordinary, we are in search of
Emmanuel—God with us. We are followers of the Messiah who spoke light into the
universe and then used the light of stars and angels to proclaim his presence
in a manger.” Rev. Dr. Greg Mamula
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