Monday Genesis 1.3-4 “God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good and he separated the light from the darkness.”
God’s first command of creation was, “Let there be light!” Ever since, light has been the prerequisite of life. The separation of light from darkness, and day from night, has an important biological function. Darkness and light have deep significance for us as human beings. When we watch a sunset, see a sunrise, work in the garden, look towards the hills, or gaze at the stars – each time we are inwardly acknowledging our dependence on light. Hope, comfort, and trust are each pulled forward by dawn and the coming of light signalling a new day. Advent is our time to look for the light. We pray into the surrounding gloom and darkness of a broken world the first words of new creation, and hear God say, “Let there be light!”
Tuesday Isaiah 9v.2 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
These words of Isaiah are pure Advent! People who have learned to live with despair are being called to hope. And the first sign of that hope is the promise of a child, whose names are the very reality they crave. The wisdom of a wonderful counsellor, the over-arching power of God no matter what the threat, the help and protection of an ever-present Father, and the promised reality of peace as the fullness of shalom. During Advent we are drawn into this same story of light in the darkness, of hope for a different future secure in and secured by God. Advent is when we learn to live ‘as if’ God’s promised reality is already here – because in the death and resurrection of God’s Son, Jesus, it is already here – a light has dawned that moves towards the fullness of day.
Wednesday John 1.5 “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John means two things which are difficult to convey in one English word. The darkness has not overcome the light can also mean, “The darkness has not understood the light.” Both are true and John intended both to be understood. Darkness hasn’t a clue what light is about; and darkness however dense and determined cannot extinguish light. Referring to Jesus, John goes on to say, “The true light, that gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” And that too is pure Advent! Christ, the Light of the World, shines with a brilliance that cannot be dulled by time or smothered by shadows, or snuffed out by the strategies of God’s Adversary. What we anticipate and celebrate in Advent is the victory of God in Christ over all that makes for darkness and loss, by a light that is “the light of life.”
Thursday Luke 2.8-10 “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
The glory of the Lord shone around them like the lights of a thousand Glastonburys! The splendour and brilliance when heaven breaks through turned night into day; more than that, it was terrifying, beautiful and a complete overwhelming of human capacities to understand. Advent is good news, which has to be one of the most obvious theological understatements ever! “In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself” is how Paul described the consequences of that sleepless night for shepherds. Luke packs all that into the words of the angel: Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” That, in brief, is Advent.
Friday John 8.12 “Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Isaiah’s promise is in the background –”The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” Once you see the light of the world you will never walk in darkness again. The light of life, the light of love, the light of mercy and grace, the light that banishes guilt, shame and fear – all, and each of these radiates outward from the Light of the World. Advent is a celebration of all this. In one of the finest theological carols in our hymn repertoire Wesley has us singing: “Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in his wings.” The photo is of sunlight striking a rather dull carpet after being refracted through our church’s stained glass window. I took the photo during a communion service while bowed in prayer, capturing this visual image of what it means to gather round the table of the One whose light illumines and colours our life with love, hope and peace.
Saturday Isaiah 60.1-2 “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.”
So much of Isaiah’s prophecy is about motivation, persuading his listeners to open their eyes, rethink the possibilities, and face up to the darkness with a defiant trust that believes the light will come. Advent anticipates the coming of the light of the world. Isaiah tells us to “Get up, reflect the true light into the surrounding darkness.” St Francis’ prayer is a good clue about ways to do that.
“Make me a channel of Your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring Your love.
Where there is injury, Your pardon, Lord,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in You.
Make me a channel of Your peace.
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, only light,
And where there’s sadness ever joy.”
Sunday 2 Corinthians 4.6 “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”
Just read that again – slowly. The Creator God, who separated light from darkness, has pierced the darkness of our hearts with life –giving light, illuminating our heart, mind, conscience and will, so that we have come to know God’s full glory displayed on the face of Christ. Now looking on the Light of the World, the face of Jesus, we see the glory and splendour of God. “All the fullness of God was pleased to dwell in him.”
The essential and irreplaceable centre of Advent is the coming of Christ, the knowledge of God revealed to us in Christ, and the glory of God made visible, blazing in judgement and mercy toward us in the Eternal Word. “The Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us, and we have gazed on his glory, full of grace and truth.” In that deep and unfathomable truth lies the reality of Advent, and all our hope for ourselves and our world.
“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2.9
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