Advent: longing for brighter days
As we journey through this season of Advent, it's hard to imagine from our sun-drenched Southern Hemisphere, the darkness of winter in the Northern Hemisphere: being greeted by dark, starlit skies in the morning; short days and long nights . With a shadow of darkness cast over the entire day, it's not hard to imagine that longing for brighter days, earlier dawns, and later dusks.
After Adam and Eve ate the fruit in the Garden of Eden, darkness set in. It's a darkness we can all feel. But as dark as those early days were, there would be darker days coming. The days of Noah were dark. In the days of the judges, the darkness seemed to reach its peak. The days of Israel's corrupt kings, brought some pretty dark days. Sin, idolatry, and darkened hearts gave way to the exile, famine, death, and desolation of God’s chosen people.
Yet, into the darkness came a great light! "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone" (Isa. 9:2). What did they see? Who was this great light? It was the promised Savior and Messiah. It was the Son of God who caused the light to shine when His Father said, "Let there be light" (Gen. 1:3). He is the Light who came into the world (John 1:9; 3:19). The darkness of sin and death could neither comprehend nor overcome the light of Christ (John 1:5).
Jesus wasn't shy about this reality, either. He stared darkness directly in the face and said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life." (John 8:12). In pitch darkness, the light of a candle can illuminate a room. Yet, Jesus wasn’t a flickering candle, He came like a blazing, glorious sun, bursting onto the scene with immeasurable glory.
The Light of the World reveals the darkness that resides in all of our hearts. He also exposes the deepest needs of those He interacts with, some for their salvation and others for their judgment. Jesus shined the light of salvation, illuminating the gospel for all who would receive and believe in Him (2 Cor. 4:6).
This is what Advent is all about. This is why we string up lights and ponder the significance of the Advent candles throughout this wonderful season. The true Light has come into the world. As you meditate on the blazing glory of our Savior, remember this:
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)
When Jesus ascended into heaven, the Light didn't leave the world. He shines through us. For we “shine as lights” in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation (Phil. 2:15). May we shine bright brothers and sisters! The world needs to see His glory, "the glory of the One and only Son who came from the Father full of grace and truth".